Underground hospitals, no school: Israel transitions to restricted activity mode after Iran strikes

Following rocket fire from Iran and widespread alerts across the country, the Home Front Command announced on Sunday night that it was tightening its instructions and moving all defense areas to a state of “restricted activity.”

The restrictions include a total closure of all educational institutions, cancellation of exams, and stricter limits on gatherings and workplaces.

The updated policy is in effect from Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 10 p.m. until Monday, June 8, 2026, at 8 p.m. The Home Front Command will hold regular situation assessments to update the public.

The Education Ministry officially announced that, in accordance with Home Front Command instructions, the entire education system would be shut down on Monday. No classes, matriculation exams, remote learning, or any other educational activity will take place in any framework.

The shutdown includes all age groups, from early childhood through high school, and does not exempt special education. All student transportation was canceled. The biology matriculation exam was postponed, and a separate announcement will be issued on the rest of this week’s exams.

A headquarters meeting is expected to be held at 10 a.m. in the Education Ministry situation room. At the meeting, together with the Home Front Command and local authorities, officials will examine whether the system is heading toward a long-term shutdown until the end of the school year, or whether interim arrangements will be set. The Education Ministry will update local authorities and the public accordingly.

The shutdown also applies to higher education: the University of Haifa, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and the Hebrew University announced that campuses are closed and no in-person activity will take place. Work and studies will mostly be conducted remotely, except for essential employees.

"The decision to close the education system immediately is responsible and necessary. The safety of Israel’s students, teaching staff, and parents is the primary consideration, and there is no room to take risks under a real threat to the home front,” Oren Ozan, chairman of the National Parents Leadership, said.

Under Home Front Command instructions for “restricted activity,” routine work may take place only in buildings from which a protected space can be reached in time. Workplaces that do not meet this condition will not operate.

Because the education system is closed, many parents are forced to stay home with their children. Under the law, it is strictly forbidden to fire an employee who is absent from work in order to supervise a child, up to age 14, or a child with special needs up to age 21, because educational institutions were closed by Home Front Command order.

As for payment for days of absence, this is usually determined in collective agreements or compensation frameworks that are later published by the Finance Ministry, so at this stage the day of absence may be deducted from the employee’s vacation balance. In the public sector, employees were instructed to work remotely as much as possible.

The Transportation Ministry said that despite the emergency, public transportation continues to operate at about 75% of normal capacity.

Israel Railways and the light rail lines in Jerusalem and the Dan Region are operating as usual for now. The Haifa cable car has suspended operations until further notice.

Passengers are advised to check with transport operators’ service centers or the national hotline at *8787 before traveling.

The underground stations on the Red Line light rail in the Dan Region are open to serve as shelters for the public during alerts, except for Karkalit Station. The stations are staffed 24/7 and have been approved by the Home Front Command for shelter use. The active stations are:

In Tel Aviv: Allenby, Yehudit, Shaul HaMelech, Arlozorov.

In Ramat Gan: Bialik, Abba Hillel. In Bnei Brak: Ben-Gurion, Aharonovitch.

In Petah Tikva: Em HaMoshavot.

At the same time, many local authorities opened underground parking lots and shelters in educational institutions for residents’ use.

As of now, Ben-Gurion Airport is operating as usual, and flights are taking off and landing as scheduled. Transportation Minister Miri Regev held a situation assessment with Transportation Ministry Director-General Moshe Ben-Zaken and aviation professionals, and at its conclusion, it was decided that the airspace would remain open for now.

The Israel Airports Authority said there has been no change in operations at Ben-Gurion Airport and that activity continues as scheduled, but the situation is being monitored continuously. If the firing expands, a decision will be made accordingly, and instructions will be updated.

Arkia said Thursday morning that, given the security establishment’s decision, all of the airline’s scheduled flights are expected to depart on time. Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines regarding the status of their flight before arriving at the airport.

At the end of a meeting of the Supreme Hospitalization Authority, the Health Ministry director-general instructed hospitals to operate under “sealed guidelines,” move to underground compounds and mobilize the required staff for a rapid transition to full emergency operations, alongside parallel IDF mobilization for assistance. Hospitals were also instructed to prepare for the rapid discharge of lightly ill patients.

In accordance with the instructions, all surgeries scheduled for Monday at Assuta Haifa were canceled. Appointments and tests, including MRI scans, at Assuta’s medical center in Acre were also canceled. Patients will receive updates.

Community clinics and well-baby clinics across the country will operate only in buildings with a standard protected space, or in immediate proximity to one.

The move to “restricted activity” is significantly affecting the events industry. Under Home Front Command instructions, gatherings of more than 200 people in open areas and more than 500 people in enclosed spaces are prohibited.

That means weddings and large events scheduled for Monday will have to be canceled, postponed, or significantly reduced in size in accordance with the instructions. In addition, many cultural institutions, theaters, and cinemas announced cancellations of scheduled performances and screenings for Monday. The public is advised to check directly with event halls or ticket offices. Beaches across the country have been closed for swimming.

Food chains, pharmacies, and essential services continue to operate as usual, provided there is a standard protected space available on site. There is no need to stockpile food, and supply chains are operating.

Malls and shopping centers will operate only if they have a protected space that can accommodate everyone present, and while complying with the gathering limit, up to 500 people in an enclosed space. It is recommended to check with the specific mall before arriving.