Israel is preparing to keep its nationwide home front emergency declaration in effect through November 3, extending special security powers past the October 27 Knesset election.
The government is weighing the extension because security officials assess that attacks against civilians remain highly likely amid uncertainty over the situations involving Iran and Lebanon.
Defense Minister Israel Katz requested the extension beyond the current October 20 expiration date.
Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs circulated the proposal to ministers on Thursday for an urgent telephone vote, according to the proposal's accompanying explanatory document.
The proposed extension would require approval from the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The government also plans to reassess the need for further continuation before the new expiration date, using an updated security assessment, according to the explanatory document.
Security Assessment and Legal Review
The security assessment identifies the continuing uncertainty surrounding Iran and Lebanon as a key reason for maintaining the emergency declaration.
Officials described the likelihood of an attack targeting civilians as high in the document supporting the proposal.
Israel first declared the special home front situation nationwide on February 28, 2026, when Operation Roaring Lion against Iran began.
The government has extended the declaration repeatedly since then, most recently on October 6, when ministers approved keeping it in force until October 20.
Under Israeli law, the declaration gives the IDF's Home Front Command additional authority to issue emergency instructions to civilians.
Those powers include imposing restrictions on educational activities and public gatherings when security conditions require such measures.
No such restrictions are currently in effect, according to the report.
Extending the declaration would therefore preserve the authorities' ability to introduce emergency measures if the security situation deteriorates, rather than immediately imposing new limitations on daily life.
The proposed continuation would keep the nationwide emergency framework active on October 27, when Israelis are scheduled to vote in the Knesset election.
The measure would extend the existing legal framework without automatically introducing additional civilian restrictions.
Defense Ministry legal adviser Mor Yamin-Bartal determined that no legal obstacle prevents approval of the proposal.
She acknowledged that repeatedly extending an emergency declaration that has remained in force since February could create legal difficulties, while emphasizing the urgency and necessity of the measure.
