Israel has officially lifted the state of emergency for regions adjacent to the Gaza border for the first time since the attack by Hamas in October 2023, as announced by Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday.
“I have made the decision to follow the recommendation of the Israeli military and to lift, for the first time since October 7, the special state on the home front,” stated Katz’s office.
This decision “reflects the new security reality in the southern part of the country” and was made as a ceasefire that commenced on October 10 has largely remained in effect.
The state of emergency, which was in place up to 80 kilometres from Gaza in southern Israel, provided authorities with special powers to uphold public order and ensure the safety of civilians.
This same state of emergency was temporarily extended to encompass all of Israel in June 2025 following Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which led to retaliatory missile attacks from the Islamic Republic.
