Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced today, Saturday, a state of emergency in Israel following the unprecedented large-scale attack by Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades against Israeli targets. Ben Gvir ordered the declaration of a state of emergency, which will allow police forces to exercise additional powers. The announcement is expected to take effect this evening.
Additionally, the minister and the police commissioner decided to recruit as many police volunteers as possible, suspend training sessions, and fully arm all forces in all areas. The minister and the commissioner of the prison service also decided that all prisons will enter a state of emergency, focusing on the wings housing Palestinian prisoners.
Diplomats indicated that "Malta has requested a closed meeting of the United Nations Security Council following the attacks on Israel." They added that the meeting could take place tomorrow, Sunday. Armed Palestinian factions launched about 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel this morning, with al-Qassam announcing the beginning of "Al-Aqsa Flood," joined by the Islamic Jihad movement, which called on Lebanon and Arab countries to support it.
