Negev District Police Chief Peretz Amar warns residents “not to become careless and rely on the efficiency of the Iron Dome system”. The senior police commander told Channel 2 News “Explosions are not fireworks and rocket fire is not Independence Day, calling upon curious citizens not to run towards the explosions but to remain in safe rooms and shelters”.

The IDF Homefront Command calls on citizens to run go the nearest safe room if a rocket alert siren is sounded. One is to remain for at least 10 minutes, and one may leave after that period of time if additional instructions are not given.

Homefront Command officials report almost 250,000 students are home, out of school due to the warfare.

The Homefront also prohibits any gathering of more than 500 people in areas under attack.

Due to the level-3 alert status residents are supposed to remain close to safe rooms, close enough to get inside before a rocket lands. That means, in the Gaza periphery communities one has 15 seconds. In Ashkelon (30 seconds), Ashdod (45 seconds) and Beersheva, (1 minute).

If one is in a vehicle, try to get out and run to side and lay down on the street if there are no shelters in range. Officials stress one should not lay down in the middle of the street. If one cannot leave the vehicle one should stop the vehicle. Homefront Command officials urge drivers to understand that driving the car is the worst option.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)