TEL AVIV: Amid rising tensions with Iran, Col. (res.) Nir Neuman stressed Israel’s home front is prepared for potential attacks. Speaking to Maariv’s podcast, Neuman said citizens trained to use protected spaces and follow alerts will be safe, even under severe threats. Emergency units and fortified infrastructure form the backbone of Israel’s civilian defense strategy.
Neuman, commander of the Rishon Lezion Local Emergency Unit in the Home Front Command and head of the firefighting system at Israel Electric Corporation, highlighted the preparedness of rescue teams, municipal first responders, and reservists. He emphasized that battalions and local units are equipped to remain in place for extended periods to ensure operational continuity during attacks.
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Discussing past incidents, Neuman noted that attempts to strike critical power-generation facilities, including during the Israel-Hamas war, were successfully thwarted. Fortified infrastructure, high-level training, and coordination between units ensure that disruptions are minimized and essential services remain operational.
Reflecting on the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, Neuman stressed the need for creative thinking and adaptive strategies beyond routine procedures. He said lessons learned from that event have strengthened Israel’s readiness and response, with professional coordination across districts and clear operational protocols in place.
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Neuman also urged civilians to maintain personal readiness, including access to safe rooms, basic emergency supplies, water, food, batteries, and first-aid kits. He concluded, “Resilience is our most important weapon,” underlining the critical role of preparedness in protecting lives during escalating threats from Iran.