State of emergency lifted in the southern occupied territories after 2 years.
Israeli media reported on Monday that for the first time since October 7, 2023, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has decided to lift the state of emergency declared in the southern occupied Palestinian territories.
According to the Times of Israel, this “special state” allowed the army’s home front command to restrict gatherings in the southern areas and close off areas. The state of emergency was declared on the morning of October 7 throughout the occupied territories, but has only been in effect in the southern occupied Palestinian territories since then.
The order expires tomorrow, and while resistance by Palestinian groups has continued during this period, there will be no active “special state” in the occupied territories for the first time in more than two years.
The Israeli Defense Minister said in a statement: “I have decided to accept the advice of the Israeli military and, for the first time since October 7, to lift the state of emergency on the home front.”
He added that the decision reflects the “new security reality in the south.”
The decision follows a ceasefire between Hamas and the Israeli regime.