IDF Home Front Command says new mobile alert system to give earlier warnings for long-range missiles

The IDF Home Front Command announces that it is deploying a new alert system on its mobile application, giving civilians a much earlier warning of long-range ballistic missile fire on the country.

When a missile is fired from Yemen, Iran, or other distant locations at Israel, the military can identify the projectile well before sirens are activated.

Currently, sirens are activated based on the shortest-range threat, regardless of where the missile was launched from. For example, in Tel Aviv, civilians are given 90 seconds to seek shelter — based on rocket fire from Gaza or Lebanon — even if a missile is fired from Yemen, which takes some 10 minutes to reach the country.

Starting today, in the event of missile fire from Yemen, the Home Front Command says it will send out an early warning on its app to those in areas under potential threat. This alert will give people 3-5 minutes to prepare to seek shelter before sirens sound.

The IDF says the early alert does not require people to seek shelter immediately, and it is intended to give them more time to prepare and feel safer.

The early alert will be distributed to a wide area under potential threat, but the sirens may only sound in certain specific areas. The military says there may be cases where people receive an early alert, but no sirens sound in their area.

The new update to the Home Front Command app comes after several weeks of trials, staff work, and feedback from the public, it says.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit adds that it will also issue a public statement when the military identifies missile fire from Yemen.

Since March 18, when the IDF resumed its offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen have launched more than 20 ballistic missiles and several drones at Israel. Only half of the missiles set off sirens in Israel, while the others fell short.