A loud explosion was heard this afternoon noon (Wednesday) in the Upper Galilee and Kiryat Shmona after Iron Dome interceptors were fired at what appeared to be an aircraft that had infiltrated Israel, but was a false alarm.
The Upper Galilee Regional Council called on residents to enter the nearest protected area and a short time later announced a return to full normalcy.
The IDF stated that "the alert that was activated in the north near Nahal Si'on and Kibbutz Shamir is apparently a false alarm. The details are under investigation."
Israel is on high alert for possible rocket attacks this week as the Jewish holiday of Passover begins tonight, coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Terrorists in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip fired 16 rockets at southern Israel early Wednesday morning, supposedly in response to clashes between rioters and Israeli police on the Temple Mount overnight. A factory in Sderot was damaged in the barrage.
Defense Yoav Gallant earlier completed a visit to an Iron Dome battery stationed in Israel’s southern region, together with IAF Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Eyal Greenboim. The Minister was briefed on recent security events and spoke with the soldiers who intercepted the rockets fired from the Gaza Strip overnight.
Later in the day, Minister Gallant convened a situational assessment to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the various security organizations in order to enable freedom of worship, while preventing clashes on Temple Mount.
The briefing was attended by the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Head of the ISA, Head of the IDF’s Operations Directorate, Head of the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate, Head of COGAT, and additional senior officials.
Gallant stated: “Following a number of situational assessments, I conducted a visit and security briefing at the site of an Iron Dome battery, which was employed to intercept missiles fired from Gaza overnight. IDF troops are protecting the citizens of Israel on this ‘Seder’ [Passover meal] night and throughout the holiday of Passover, here and everywhere across the country – in the air, at sea and on land.” “I want to be very clear: we will hit anyone who tries to harm us, and exact a heavy price that will make them regret any threats against Israeli citizens or IDF troops. I hope we all enjoy a happy and peaceful Passover.”