TEL-AVIV, April 13. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it will change its Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines, cancelling all educational activities and banning gatherings of more than 1,000 people.

"Following a situational assessment, it was determined that <…> changes will be made to the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines," the IDF press service said in a statement. "As part of the changes, it was decided to prohibit educational activities across Israel. In green areas, gatherings will be limited to 1,000 people."

IDF Spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told an evening briefing that "situational assessments and approvals of plans were conducted in the IDF in preparation for an attack from Iran."

"In accordance with the situational assessment and in light of the security situation, the Home Front Command is issuing updates and adjustments to the defensive guidelines at this time," he added.

According to the spokesman, starting from early morning of April 14 "and over the coming days, educational establishments, day camps, and planned trips will not take place."

"At six o'clock in the morning, we will revalidate these guidelines. Starting tonight and in the coming days, no educational activities including overnight stays and trips are to be conducted," he said.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on April 1 that the Israeli Air Force had carried out a strike on a building in the Syrian capital of Damascus. Iranian media outlets said that the country’s consulate had come under attack. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the strike had killed seven military advisors. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that Tehran would make Israel regret its strike and President Ebrahim Raisi pledged that the attack would not go without response.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that Israel had hit a military target belonging to the IRGC, but not a diplomatic mission. According to Hagari, the facility was disguised as a civilian building.

On April 12, the The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran’s retaliatory strike may take place within 24-48 hours. In turn, the Axios portal wrote with reference to anonymous sources that Iran’s response will be limited in an attempt to avoid escalation.