Israel closes schools, puts air defenses on alert against possible Iranian attack

JERUSALEM -- Israeli authorities said that schools will be closed nationwide as early as Saturday night due to threats of Iranian attacks.

Educational activities will be banned across Israel from 11:00 pm local time (2000 GMT) on Saturday until Monday night as part of the changes in IDF Home Front Command's defense guidelines, Spokesman of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Daniel Hagari wrote in a post on social media platform X on Saturday.

The changes were made following a situational assessment, the IDF said in a statement.

Hagari noted that the restrictions also apply to school trips and camps, though most educational establishments are presently closed for the Jewish Passover holiday.

According to Hagari, Israel's air defenses "are on alert" with "dozens of planes ready in the sky."

The tension came 12 days after Israel killed seven Iranians, including two IRGC commanders, in a missile strike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Syria.

Iranian authorities have pledged to retaliate against Israel for the attack, raising concerns about potential escalations in the Middle East region.