Ramat Gan has taken precautionary steps to protect residents after the city’s leadership determined that the possibility of Iranian missile fire over the weekend had increased.
Mayor Carmel Shama-Hacohen announced on Thursday that all public shelters across the city would be opened following a municipal security review that found the threat level was no longer considered insignificant.
Mayor Calls for Extra Precaution Amid Growing Concerns
In a statement shared on Facebook, Shama-Hacohen said the decision was made after authorities reviewed the latest security situation.
“We decided to open all the shelters in the city,” the mayor wrote, explaining that while the move carried financial and logistical costs, additional caution was necessary given the changing circumstances.
He expressed hope that the precaution would ultimately prove unnecessary but said preparing ahead of time was the responsible approach.
Residents Asked to Prepare Shared Shelters
Alongside opening municipal shelters, the mayor called on residential building committees to ensure that shared shelters within apartment complexes were ready for use.
He urged residents and building managers to remove any obstacles and make sure communal safe spaces could be accessed quickly if needed.
The appeal was part of wider efforts to improve civilian preparedness amid renewed regional tensions.
No New Home Front Command Warning Issued
Shama-Hacohen clarified that the decision was taken independently by the municipality and was not triggered by a new official alert from Israel’s Home Front Command.
“There is no special warning from the Home Front Command,” he said, while emphasizing that the city preferred to act cautiously rather than wait for a potential escalation.
He also reassured residents that Israel had strong defensive capabilities and urged people not to panic if another confrontation with Iran occurred.
Mayor Highlights Israel’s Military Readiness
The mayor sought to calm concerns by pointing to the capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Air Force.
He said that in the event of renewed attacks, Israel had the ability to defend its population while also carrying out operations against threats beyond its borders.
Shama-Hacohen praised the country’s military forces, describing them as highly capable and prepared to respond to hostile actions.
US Military Pressure on Iran Raises Regional Concerns
The shelter decision comes amid rising tensions linked to an expanded US military campaign targeting Iran.
The United States recently deployed a B-1 long-range bomber as part of increased military activity in the region, while President Donald Trump weighed further escalation of operations against Tehran.
Israeli officials had reportedly assessed that broader American strikes against Iranian strategic sites or senior figures could increase the possibility of retaliation against Israel.
City Has Experienced Iranian Missile Attacks Before
Ramat Gan’s latest move reflects memories of previous Iranian missile attacks that reached Israeli population centres.
During an earlier wave of strikes in March, an Iranian missile hit a residential building in the city, killing an elderly couple, according to emergency officials and local residents.
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas and reinforced concerns about strengthening civilian protection measures.
Israel Expands Shelter Network After Repeated Attacks
The opening of Ramat Gan’s shelters comes as national authorities continue efforts to improve civil defence infrastructure.
The Defence Ministry and Home Front Command have previously announced plans to build 1,000 new public shelters and renovate another 500 facilities across Israel.
As regional tensions continue, officials are focusing on ensuring communities are prepared for any potential escalation while attempting to reassure residents that security systems remain active.
