Israel Lifts State of Emergency for Communities Near Gaza
Israel has officially ended the state of emergency for areas near the Gaza border for the first time since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the decision on Monday, stating it was based on a recommendation from the Israeli military. The move reflects a "new security reality" in southern Israel, coinciding with a ceasefire that has largely held since October 10. The state of emergency had granted special powers to authorities to maintain public order and ensure the safety of civilians in communities up to 80 kilometers from the Gaza border. This is the first time these restrictions have been lifted in the region in over two years. The same emergency framework was temporarily expanded to all of Israel in June 2025 during a period of heightened tensions with Iran.
