Israel is closing schools across the country due to security concerns, military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Saturday, after Iran pledged to react for a fatal air assault on its Damascus consulate.
“In light of the security situation,” he added in a televised announcement, there will be “no educational activities” when the school week resumes on Sunday.
“Starting tomorrow morning and over the coming days, educational establishments, day camps, and planned trips will not take place,” he told reporters.
Israel will also limit the number of people permitted to gather outdoors to 1,000, with even fewer allowed in border districts where beaches would be closed.
There have been weekly protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem against the government and in support of a hostage agreement, which have frequently drew thousands of people.
The measures are expected to last two days, according to online army standards.
Iran has threatened vengeance following the likely Israeli raid on its consulate in Damascus on April 1, which killed seven Revolutionary Guards personnel, including two generals.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden stated that he expected Iran to retaliate “sooner (rather) than later”.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a container ship “related to the Zionist regime (Israel)” near the Strait of Hormuz, state television said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz postponed a planned visit to Hungary and Austria, which was supposed to start on Sunday, “due to the security situation,” his spokesman said.