Israel Suspends Flights, Classes, and Businesses as Nationwide Sirens Blare

Following the Israeli Ministry of Defense's announcement of "preemptive" strikes against Iran on February 28, nationwide sirens have been activated across Israel. Civil aviation has been grounded, schools closed, and businesses shuttered on a large scale.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement declaring an "immediate special state of emergency" throughout the country.

According to multiple foreign media reports, sirens blared across Israel at 8:15 AM local time (2:15 PM Beijing time) on the 28th. The Israeli military stated the sirens were intended to provide "advance warning of potential missile attacks." Additionally, citizens across the country received emergency mobile alerts warning of an "extremely severe" threat.

Reuters reported that the Israeli military has ordered the closure of schools and the suspension of operations for all units except those in essential sectors. Furthermore, Israel has closed its airspace to civil aviation, with authorities advising the public to stay away from airports.

Katz stated that the strikes against targets within Iran were carried out to "eliminate threats." According to anonymous defense officials, the operation had been coordinated and planned between Israel and the United States for months, with the specific date finalized weeks ago.

Qatar’s Al Jazeera reported on the 28th, citing U.S. officials, that the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran with the objective of dismantling Iran's security infrastructure.