Israel to ease wartime restrictions
(VOVWORLD) - Israel began to ease wartime restrictions starting Thursday, rolling back measures imposed at the start of its military operations against Iran early this month.
 An explosion caused by a projectile impact after Iran launched missiles into Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, February 28, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS/Gideon Markowicz) |
The IDF Home Front Command said it is lowering the level of restrictions from "essential activity level" to a "limited activity level" in all areas nationwide. The move was made "in accordance with a situational assessment".
Under the updated guidelines, the limit on public gatherings will increase from 20 to 50 people, provided they take place in venues near a shelter. Educational activities remain prohibited.
The general ban on workplaces has also been lifted, allowing businesses to reopen in locations where a shelter can be reached within about a minute. Under the previous guidelines, all workplaces were closed except for those classified as "vital".
The move comes as Israel’s airspace is set to reopen before dawn on Thursday, with Ben Gurion International Airport scheduled to gradually resume activity for the first time since the beginning of the conflict.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday said NATO is prepared to activate collective defense actions in response to Iran.