Israel’s Home Front Command conducted emergency drills this week, with senior officials emphasizing preparedness for earthquakes and other crisis scenarios amid heightened regional tensions.
As part of the exercise, Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Shai Kalper visited the Academic Scientific-Torah School in Be’er Ya’akov, where he observed and participated in an earthquake readiness drill alongside students and staff.
“I am glad to be here. It is inspiring to see a school and its students practicing with responsibility and seriousness," Kalper said during the visit. He noted that the drill had been scheduled well in advance and is held annually to improve readiness for earthquakes and other emergencies.
Separately, in the northern city of Tzfat, municipal authorities led a large-scale earthquake simulation in cooperation with national emergency bodies. The exercise, organized by the Tzfat Municipality and the Education Ministry, took place at the “Pirchei Kehuna" school and included a scenario involving an earthquake, collapsed buildings and the evacuation of students.
The Israel Dog Unit, a nonprofit specializing in working dogs, participated in the drill alongside other rescue and emergency services. Teams simulated a range of developments that could occur during a major earthquake, including search-and-rescue operations in damaged structures.
Shmuel Segal, commander of IDU's Galilee District, thanked Tzfat Mayor Yossi Kakoun for inviting the unit to take part. “I was pleased to see a high level of preparedness, responsibility, and seriousness among all emergency and rescue agencies and the school’s students," Segal said. “The IDU is proud to take part in operational readiness that saves lives when the need arises."