Northern Israel Residents Race for Cover as Sirens Are Activated

The Jewish Press.com

Residents in dozens of Jewish communities in northern Israel raced for cover early Wednesday evening as Red Alert sirens activated throughout the Golan Heights, the Galilee, and around Lake Kinneret.

At least 15 drones were seen flying in the skies by Israelis running for safety, possibly more. Residents in 72 towns were ordered to enter their bomb shelters and to stay there until further notice.

Giora Saltz, Head of the Upper Galilee Council said around 6:30 pm Israel time that “manned paragliders have been observed entering from Lebanon.” He asked all residents to lock themselves in their homes.

The drones were launched from sites as far west as the Mediterranean coast of Lebanon and as far east as Syria, near the Jordanian border.

Alerts from IDF Home Front Command included warnings of terrorist infiltration at Ma’ayan Baruch, missile fire aimed at Kerem Maharal and Ofer, and “hostile aircraft intrusion” – infiltration by dozens of combat drones – across northern and southern Israel.

Initial reports indicated the drones were launched by Lebanon’s Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, aimed at northern Israel from as far west as Rosh Pina and Nahariya to Metullah in the east, including Haifa, the Galilee, the Golan Heights and elsewhere around the region.

At least one rocket landed in Haifa, fired by “Hamas Lebanon” according to a statement by the Iranian proxy.

At least 10 people were treated by United Hatzalah volunteer medics for minor injures sustained while racing for cover. In addition, the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit treated a number of people who sustained emotional shock as a result of the sirens.

The head of the Upper Galilee Council said “a considerable number of aircraft entered from the north,” and that there was an infiltration of aircraft, according to him, “a type of paraglider with people on them.”

The head of the council told News 12 that “we are in the midst of an event,” and asked all residents to enter their homes, lock them and turn off the lights.

The security coordinator of Moshav Avivim said that the drones that penetrated Israeli territory “probably landed in the area of Moshav Alma and Ein Zeitim” in the area around Tzfat.

IDF Home Front Command issued the following statement:
“Following a large-scale attack, the residents of the settlements in the Gulf, Lower Galilee, Central Galilee, Upper Galilee, South Golan, North Golan and the conflict line must enter a shelter, a shelter, and stay there until further notice.

“Means of communication, food and water, mattresses, blankets, medicines and other necessary equipment needed for an extended stay must be brought into the protected space.

“The door of the protected space and the outer steel window and the inner glass window must be tightly closed.
Staying in the protected space saves lives and is necessary in this situation.

“Movement outside in this area is life-threatening, therefore one should avoid staying and moving outside unless absolutely necessary.

“Keep up to date with the messages distributed in the media and wait for further instructions.”