Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency from 06:00 am (0300 GMT) Sunday, after the Israeli military launched what it called pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon.

“The declaration on the state of emergency enables the IDF (Israeli military) to issue instructions to the citizens of Israel, including limiting gatherings and closing sites where it may be relevant,” Gallant said, in a statement issued by his office.

“I am convinced that there is a high probability of an attack against the civilian population in areas of the country where the declaration of a special situation did not apply,” he said, referring to previous local emergency measures.

“I hereby declare a special situation on the home front in other areas of the country. The situation is valid for 48 hours starting at 6:00 am,” Gallant said.

In a separate statement, the defence ministry said Gallant briefed US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on the overall situation.

“We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel,” Gallant told Austin, according to the statement.

“We are closely following developments in Beirut, and we are determined to use all the means at our disposal in order to defend our citizens.” 

The statement also said that the two leaders “discussed the importance of avoiding regional escalation”. (AFP)

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Two Sri Lankan women have been kidnapped at the Israel–Jordan border, it was reported.

According to NewsFirst, Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara confirmed the abduction, stating that the Sri Lankan Embassy is taking steps to locate the two women.

Ambassador Bandara further said that they are yet to receive information on two other women who have been reported missing during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The Ambassador also revealed that 27 Sri Lankans who were residing in Northern Gaza are currently moving towards Southern Gaza in Palestine. 

Ambassador Bandara said that they have received reports that the group is moving towards Egypt with others from Gaza. 

He added that the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Palestine has confirmed their safety and movement, adding that the Palestine Office has made arrangements for their passage through a road opened by them to Egypt.

“The Red Cross Association has also requested the Hamas militants to provide details of people under their custody, which includes foreigners from 36 countries, including Sri Lanka. We will be able to confirm the whereabouts of the two Sri Lankans reported missing if we get the necessary information from Hamas,” Ambassador Bandara added. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly in talks with the Egyptian Embassy to bring Sri Lankans living in Gaza to Sri Lanka, via Egypt.

The Representative at the Office of Sri Lanka in Palestine has informed that plans are underway to evacuate the Sri Lankans via the Rafah border crossing. (NewsWire)

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