Israel marked the holy Jewish day of Yom Kippur on Friday under the shadows of war for the first time since 1973. The country was put on high alert on the Jewish Day of Atonement as troops continued to fight in Lebanon and Gaza.
Special alert systems were installed to warn people amid near-constant rocket fire and spiralling tensions with Iran, reported Times of Israel. Over 120 rockets were fired at Israel in the first hours of the holiday.
On October 7 last year, it was the holiday of Yom Kippur when Hamas launched an offensive and raided southern and central Israel killing around 1,200 people and taking some 251 hostages.
In view of the security situation, Israel Defence Forces Home Front Command urged residents to ensure accessibility to special warning systems put in place to alert them to specific dangers like rocket and missile attacks, or to broader warnings in case of a further outbreak of war.
A broadcast station can be activated by people on radios and televisions that will transmit in silence except rocket warning sirens, which will be aired out loud, in real-time.
The Home Front Command would also continue to warn about incoming rockets through cell phones and apps.
In the hour ahead of the fast, over 120 rockets were fired at northern Israel with most being intercepted. Several rockets fell in open areas and sparked fires, though there were no reports of injuries.
All the local radio, television, and internet broadcasts and news sites fell silent as dusk approached. However, several noted they were prepared to resume operations in the event of major events.
The 25-hour period of fasting and praying, observed by religious and traditional Jews, began between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Friday and will end at around 6:50 pm on Saturday.
Under the IDF protocol, soldiers engaged in active combat are prohibited from fasting. The protocol was affirmed by newly appointed Chief Sephardic Rabbi David Yosef on Thursday.
The chief rabbi stated it was “clear” that Israeli soldiers actively involved in fighting are prohibited from fasting on Yom Kippur. They are also not to limit the amount they eat and drink, but to consume food and liquids as they normally do.”
According to Jewish law, saving human life takes precedence over adhering to religious norms, including the prohibition against eating on Yom Kippur, a day of fasting dedicated to introspection and repentance.