Ramat Gan opens public shelters amid Iran escalation concerns

TEL AVIV, Israel — The municipality of Ramat Gan, a city east of Tel Aviv, has temporarily opened public shelters in anticipation of a possible Iranian military escalation. Mayor Carmel Shama Cohen said the decision was taken on the recommendation of security agencies and was aimed at safeguarding the population. Shelters in schools and municipal buildings were also prepared, while public parks, gardens and recreational areas were closed to limit outdoor gatherings. The municipality said rescue, medical and logistics teams had been mobilized and joint operation rooms activated. The measures were taken in full coordination with the Israeli military's Home Front Command, and residents were urged to follow official instructions and avoid panic. According to Yedioth Ahronot, security sources said alert levels had been raised following tit-for-tat strikes between Washington and Tehran. Times of Israel noted that the city had previously sustained damage from direct Iranian missile attacks during earlier escalations. Following Ramat Gan's move, the municipality of Eilat also decided to open its shelters citing security developments.