Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, April 13, 2024

This week, situational assessments and approvals of plans were conducted in the IDF in preparation for an attack from Iran. The forces of the IDF are very strongly prepared for offense and defense and are widely deployed. In accordance with the situational assessment and in light of the security situation, the Home Front Command is issuing updates and adjustments to the defensive guidelines at this time—starting tomorrow morning and over the coming days, educational establishments, day camps, and planned trips will not take place. At six o'clock in the morning, we will revalidate these guidelines. Starting tonight and in the coming days, no educational activities including overnight stays and trips are to be conducted.

I remind you—it doesn’t matter from where the threat is launched, if an alarm sounds, you must enter the shelter and stay there for 10 minutes. 10 minutes after the alarm ends, no less. We will update you in real-time if you need to stay there longer. We will provide sufficient time for assessments in case of a threat alert in the area. Alertness, readiness, and responsibility are required.

We are taking all steps to ensure your security—I will be here to update you on any developments or new information as needed, with transparency, in a timely manner, and responsibly. Since the start of the war, we have dealt with a variety of threats launched here from Iran's proxies in the region—missiles and UAVs. We knew how to activate our defense and offense systems accordingly. We have optimized them to be even better. The IDF is fully prepared on all its fronts in defense and offense.

The defense and offense systems of the Israeli Air Force are on alert, and dozens of planes are in the skies—prepared and ready. We are conducting a situational assessment with our strategic partners, primarily the U.S., and maintaining tight coordination with them. We have an excellent Aerial Defense Array, but the defense is not hermetic. Continue to act responsibly and calmly as you have done so far—be sure to follow the defensive guidelines of the Home Front Command. Earlier today, Iran carried out another act of terror by seizing and taking hold of a Western civilian ship. Iran continues to pose a real threat to regional stability, the global economy, and the entire Western world. Iran is continuing to escalate the situation in the Middle East, as it has done over the past six months throughout the war.

This morning, IDF soldiers, the Israel Security Agency (ISA), and the Israel Police located the body of the teenager Binyamin Achimair, may his memory be a blessing. Binyamin was murdered in a terror attack - the investigation of the incident is ongoing by the security forces - many IDF soldiers, the ISA, and the Israel Police are currently pursuing the terrorists. We will reach them. I want to send condolences to the Achimair family during this difficult time. In the past few hours, violent confrontations have developed between Israelis and Palestinians at several locations in the Judea and Samaria area. Following these events, we have reinforced IDF and Border Police forces in the Judea and Samaria area. I appeal to Israeli civilians to allow the IDF to focus on the pursuit of the murderers and the prevention of further attacks.

Questions?

As I said, I will return and update here on every development, at any time required.