IDF removes most hazardous materials from Haifa Bay

Home Front Command dilutes dangerous substances in Haifa Bay area; Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee says government still declaring 'special situation'
Ilan Marciano

Home Front commander Major-General Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon said Wednesday during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the IDF has evacuated 90 percent of hazardous materials in the Haifa Bay area.

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Major-General Gershon stressed that the IDF diluted the hazardous materials, such as the ammonia tank in the region.

"The dilution is continuing and we are now highly protected. The tanks in the area are currently highly protected. Special crews of the Home Front Command who are experts in the field are constantly in the field," Gershon said.

Last Wednesday the Home Front Command ordered the closure of around 250 factories in areas considered part of the conflict zone – The Hula Valley, the Rosh Pina area, Maalot, and the Nahariya area.

The closure of the factories has caused them much financial damage. According to the arrangement, industries on the frontline can reopen their gates after they receive the green light from an officer in their local region.

Factory managers will have to turn to regional defense officers, and they plan on beginning to do so on Wednesday.

700 rockets

Addressing the fighting on the northern border, Gershon said that since the start of battles in the north and up to this morning, the Home Front Command identified the landing of 700 rockets.

13 people have been killed by the rockets and 233 injured, 11 of them seriously, 26 moderately, and 188 lightly.

Gershon said that the Home Front Command recently held a poll among northern residents, and found that 94 percent of northerners said they could continue to show stamina even if the operation continues for a long time.

Some 87 percent of respondents said they were aware of instructions and messages released by the Home Front Command.

The Committee also approved a government request to extend the 'special state' declared by the Home Front Command.

The Committee asked the government to quickly complete the legislation procedures needed to ensure compensation to employees and employers and to prevent the sacking of workers due to the security situation.