As regional tensions escalate, Israelis are taking precautionary measures and preparing for potential attacks on the country. Supermarkets in Israel have reported a significant increase in sales of essential goods, with some items seeing a 30% spike compared to regular sales.
The surge in demand has been particularly notable for canned food, cereals, pasta, toilet paper, frozen meat, bottled water, and hygiene wipes. This uptick in sales reflects the population's readiness to stock up on supplies in anticipation of any disruptions.
The Jerusalem municipality has issued detailed instructions to residents on how to respond in the event of the city coming under attack. They have provided a list of designated parking lots that will serve as shelters, along with a directory of bomb shelters that residents must be able to reach within 90 seconds.
Residents are advised to proactively clean and prepare their bomb shelters, stock up on water and food for at least three days, and acquire essential items such as batteries, flashlights, and medications. The guidance also emphasizes the possibility of prolonged power cuts and the need for residents to be prepared to stay in bomb shelters for an extended period.
Furthermore, disruptions to flights in and out of Israel have been reported, with Air India joining other international carriers in suspending services to Tel Aviv. These developments come in the wake of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's statement, declaring Iran's intention to avenge the death of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh, which Iran attributed to Israel.
While Israel has not confirmed or denied any involvement in Haniyeh's death, the escalating tensions have prompted a heightened state of alertness and preparedness among Israelis as they brace for potential security threats.