IDF Issues Urgent Shabbat Shelter Guidelines Amid Iran War Fears

In light of escalating threats from Iran, the IDF’s Home Front Command has issued *emergency Shabbat safety protocols* for communities across Israel, particularly those near strategic military installations such as Beit Shemesh.

Residents are being told to brace for the possibility of *significant missile strikes or UAV attacks* over Shabbat. Israeli defense officials stress that the measures are precautionary but necessary given the gravity of the current regional situation.

**Key directives include:**

* **Use Only Proper Shelters:** Upon hearing a siren, residents must immediately enter a mamad (reinforced security room) or a full underground shelter. *Stairwells are not considered safe*.

For Beit Shemesh residents, public shelters are available at:

* Navon School, HaGefen Street

* Gesher School, David Raziel Street

* Kiryat Chinuch School, Hamshelet Street

* Kidum Noar School, Ben Gera Street

* **Extended Shelter Time:** Unlike previous procedures where residents could exit 10 minutes after a siren, the new directive requires people to **stay in shelter for at least one full hour** unless an official statement is issued. If another siren sounds during that hour, the countdown restarts.

* **Shabbat Alert System:** For observant communities not using electronics on Shabbat, the IDF reminds the public that alerts will be transmitted via special Home Front Command systems. Those without access should treat *any siren as potentially critical* and remain sheltered accordingly.

* **Pre-Siren Warnings:** In some cases, a **6-minute pre-warning** system may be activated before an official siren. This should be treated with the same urgency.

This latest advisory comes as Iran continues to threaten retaliation following Israeli strikes on IRGC assets. While many of Iran’s strategic capabilities, such as radar systems and missile batteries, have been targeted in coordinated Israeli air and Mossad operations, defense officials are not ruling out further escalation.

Just this week, a senior Israeli defense source said, “We are still in the eye of the storm. Until Iran's long-range threat is fully neutralized, the home front must be on high alert.”

The IDF continues to emphasize vigilance, preparation, and adherence to Home Front Command instructions as the best means of protection during this volatile period.

Stay tuned for real-time updates.