After six days, 400 missiles & 1000 drones: IDF loosens security instructions but schools remain closed

After six days of highly stringent security instructions that closed down nearly all of the country's public life, the IDF Home Front Command loosened its directives to allow some workplaces to resume activities and to permit small gatherings.

Workplaces where the workers can reach a safe room within the time span given by a Home Front Command warning will be allowed to reopen.

However, schools throughout the country will remain closed, limiting the possibility of many parents of young children returning to work.

Instructions for the border areas, including the north, the Jordan Valley, Eilat and the Gaza border communities, will be even slightly less restrictive than in the rest of the country.

While most of the country will only be allowed gatherings of up to 30 people, except educational activities, in the border areas, gatherings of up to 50 people in an open area and up to 100 people in a building.

This still means that events like weddings, sports events, concerts, and others, will be banned.

According to Army Radio, citing an official, the looser instructions for the border areas are “An important message of reinforcement and providing an opportunity specifically for these areas, which are at the forefront of the national effort.”

Despite Israel’s air defenses intercepting 100% of the around 1,000 drones, and over 90% of the around 400 ballistic missiles fired at Israel, the small number of projectiles that impacted killed 24 Israelis to date, most of them while they were outside a safe room or shelter.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the discipline and determination of Israel’s citizens on Wednesday.

“I must tell you that I am speaking with world leaders, and there is tremendous admiration for our determination, for the achievements of our forces, and there is also tremendous admiration for you – the citizens of Israel; for your steadfast spirit, for your resilience.”

“We are suffering many losses – painful losses. But we are seeing that the home front is strong, the people are strong, and the State of Israel is stronger than ever. I have instructed government ministries to provide aid to all those affected,” he said.

According to Kan News, some 5,000 people were evacuated from their homes due to damage from the Iranian missiles so far.

The loosening of restrictions followed several days during which the number of missiles in each Iranian barrage have been decreasing. During the first three days of fighting, the regime managed to launch at least around 20, and mostly between 30 to 40 ballistic missiles in each attack.

However, since the largest barrage yet on Monday morning, only one barrage included even 20 missiles, with several volleys only including a handful or even one ballistic missile.