Israeli city of Ramat Gan opens public shelters amid Iran tensions

TEL AVIV, Israel — JERUSALEM — The municipality of Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, opened public bomb shelters temporarily as a precaution against a possible Iranian military escalation, according to local officials. Mayor Carmel Shama Cohen said the decision followed a recommendation from security agencies and was aimed at protecting the population. City-run shelters, along with those at educational institutions and municipal buildings, were placed on standby. 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 operations rooms activated. The move was taken in full coordination with the Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command. Authorities urged residents to follow official instructions and avoid panic. Israeli security sources told Yedioth Ahronot that the alert level had been raised following reciprocal strikes between Washington and Tehran, while the Times of Israel noted that Ramat Gan had sustained direct damage from Iranian missile attacks during previous escalations. Following Ramat Gan's decision, the municipality of Eilat also announced it was opening its shelters in response to the security developments. No further details on the duration of the measures were immediately available.