Israel Total Lockdown Following Iranian Missile Strikes, Schools and Offices Close
Israel Lockdown Following Iranian Missile Strikes, Schools and Offices Close
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran have been met with an aggressive response. Iran has swiftly launched retaliatory strikes against seven countries in the Middle East hosting US military bases.
Iran has also initiated large-scale attacks on Israeli territory, deploying ballistic missiles and unmanned drones. Air raid sirens have been reported sounding continuously across all regions of Israel, from north to south.
According to Reuters on Sunday (1 March 2026), Israel has swiftly banned public gatherings, closed schools and workplaces, and relocated hospital patients to underground facilities as of Saturday (28 February) local time.
The situation in Israel can be described as a total lockdown, as various activities have been suspended temporarily.
Israel’s Defence Minister Katz announced a state of emergency nationwide, warning the public about the Iranian missile and drone attacks.
The military has instructed the public to follow emergency guidelines whilst announcing that tens of thousands of reserve troops have been called up for duty, including reinforcement of land borders.
Police have urged people to avoid non-essential travel so that security and emergency vehicles can move freely.
Protected by a sophisticated air defence system, some Israeli residents “fled” to beaches in Tel Aviv on Saturday (28 February), ahead of Iran’s initial response. They said they felt safe and expressed support for operations against Iran.
“It is time,” said Shira Dorany whilst walking along the Mediterranean promenade in Tel Aviv.
“I do not want to wait any longer for what is coming. Now it will come. Let us finish it,” she added.
There have been only limited reports of damage or injury from Iran’s initial missile strikes. Israeli residents generally have access to bomb shelters and are alerted to head there immediately by the national warning system.
Last year, Israel and Iran faced off in an air war after Israel launched a surprise strike against Iran in June 2025, which was subsequently followed by the United States. The conflict lasted 12 days, killing more than 30 people in Israel and over 900 people in Iran.
Tel Aviv experienced several attacks during last year’s conflict, as did parts of southern Israel which host several military bases.
On Saturday (28 February), Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights, although land borders with Egypt and Jordan remained open, according to a spokesman for airport authorities.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem stated that government personnel have been advised to shelter in place. Previously, on Friday (27 February), the US Embassy in Jerusalem warned its staff to leave the country if they wished to do so.
In Jerusalem, people were seen rushing to purchase food and withdraw cash as explosions from missile interceptions echoed across the city.
At Sheba Medical Centre near Tel Aviv, medical staff relocated entire hospital wards underground.
“Sheba has switched to an advanced state of readiness in preparation for the Iranian strikes. We are in the process of moving all our departments and services to protected areas,” said Itai Pessach, director general of the medical centre.
At the beach in Tel Aviv, Maayan Eliasi, 43, said that Israel’s strikes against Iran were necessary “to demonstrate that we are strong. We are not afraid, and we are here to protect our land,” he said.