Schools and non-essential businesses will remain shuttered across Israel on Sunday in line with the civilian guidelines issued by the IDF’s Home Front Command on Saturday after Israel and the US launched a joint offensive against Iran, prompting retaliatory Iranian missile fire.
The guidelines issued on Saturday were to remain in place until Monday evening at the earliest, and disallow all non-essential workplaces and places of education from operating. They also bar any large gatherings or services from being held, both indoors and outdoors.
The guidelines apply to the public and private sectors alike, with the exception of essential businesses and services, which will remain open, although they may do so in limited capacities.
According to military assessments, Iran launched around 150 ballistic missiles at Israel since Saturday morning. The salvos mostly consisted of a small number of missiles, with air defense systems intercepting several of the projectiles, while others struck open areas. There were also reports of missile and interceptor fragments landing across the country.
In addition, dozens of attack drones were launched from Iran, with the Israel Defense Forces reporting that it intercepted more than a dozen of them.
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The Magen David Adom ambulance service reported that it treated a total of 90 people who were lightly injured as a result of the Iranian attacks, the vast majority of them indirectly.
Health Minister Haim Katz confirmed on Saturday evening that Israel’s health system would be operating under its state of emergency system, meaning all non-essential services would be suspended.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch said that all educational activities had been suspended until Monday at 8 p.m. He urged Israelis to follow all instructions to ensure their safety.
“The education system has prepared in advance for emergency and war scenarios, and will continue to operate with responsibility and full readiness in accordance with developments.”
The higher education system also confirmed that it would be ceasing activities in accordance with the Home Front Command Guidelines and in a message to students, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said it cancelled all examinations, assignments and coursework until at least March 6.
Patients and medical staff are seen in an underground parking area converted into a treatment ward at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, after patients were relocated following missile fire from Iran toward Israel, February 28, 2026. (Flash90)
Unlike the rest of the education system, the Haredi education sector appeared willing to flout the rules, as Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of the United Torah Judaism’s Degel HaTorah faction, suggested that some studies could continue to take place if they do so in a building with a protected area.
In instructions to ultra-Orthodox families, the leading Haredi rabbi said that children of “Talmud learning” age and older — around 10 or 11 years — could attend classes “only if there is a protected space in the building and there is enough room to comfortably accommodate all the students.”
He said, however, that if any children are scared to attend, their parents should keep them at home.
Meanwhile, the court system announced that only essential services would be available until at least Monday, and that most courthouses would be closed.
The select few that remain open will be used for urgent proceedings and Justice Minister Yariv Levin signed an order that allows for arrest hearings to be heard via video conference.
Supreme Court hearings have all been cancelled, including a key hearing scheduled for Sunday over a petition asking the High Court to find the government in contempt of court for failing to implement a court decision ordering the government to enforce military service conscription for ultra-Orthodox men.
There will also be no hearings in rabbinical courts for the next two days, the Rabbinical Courts Administration confirmed. The disruption will affect services such as divorce proceedings, marriage registrations, and conversions.
Pedestrians run for cover in central Jerusalem following sirens warning of incoming missiles from Iran, on February 28, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
All Knesset activities will be suspended on Sunday as well, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said. This includes all committee discussions and a planned plenum session.
On Monday, however, the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will hold a special closed session to receive an operational intelligence review of Operation Roaring Lion as well as to hold a vote approving the declaration of a “special situation” on the home front.
Supermarkets and food stores are among the businesses exempt from guidelines, and Economy Minister Nir Barkat moved to reassure the public that they would remain stocked throughout the duration of the military operation.
“The stores are full and there is no need to stockpile products,” he said. “Our industry is stronger than ever and prepared for any scenario.”
The Bank of Israel also confirmed on Saturday evening that Sunday will be a “normal business day” for the operations of financial institutions, and that, as such, the main branches of all banks will be open.
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