State of Emergency Declared in Israel, Citizens Urged to Take Shelter

The Voice News: Israel has declared a state of emergency and instructed its citizens to take shelter amid fears of a retaliatory attack by Iran.In response to Israeli airstrikes on several nuclear and military facilities in Tehran and other locations, Iran has launched a counterattack by deploying more than a hundred drones.Amid this escalating tension and exchange of attacks, the Israeli government has imposed an official state of emergency. Citizens have been urged to seek shelter immediately due to the imminent threat of Iranian retaliation.CNN and BBC reported the developments separately on Friday (June 13).According to the BBC, the Israeli government declared the emergency shortly after launching attacks on Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz made the announcement, stating, “Iran may launch a retaliatory strike on Israel very soon.”The attack on Iran occurred during the early morning hours when most Israelis were asleep. A BBC correspondent based in Jerusalem reported that residents were awakened by loud sirens and emergency alerts on their mobile phones.CNN added that following the early-morning strikes on Iran, the Israeli government warned its citizens of possible retaliatory attacks and advised them to move to safe shelters.Major General Rafi Milo, head of Israel’s Home Front Command, said:“During this operation, we may experience widespread warning sirens across the country. Therefore, I urge every citizen to quickly and safely take shelter from wherever they are.”He further advised:“If there is a secure room, bunker, or Home Front Command-approved shelter in your home or nearby, take refuge there. If not, stay in the building’s stairwell or an inner room.”Israeli defense forces and government officials had already anticipated that a retaliatory attack from Iran could happen at any time. That is why this instruction was issued to the public in advance.