Tel Aviv, 13 April 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Israeli armed forces have issued guidelines for the public amid acute fears of an imminent attack from Iran in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.

School lessons and other educational activities are cancelled, as are holiday camps and organized excursions from Sunday onwards, Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari told journalists. Sunday marks the start of a two-week school holiday for the Jewish festival of Passover.

Israel's Homeland Security also published further instructions on its website, entering into effect as of Saturday evening at 11 pm (2000 GMT) and initially in force for 48 hours.

The guidance says up to 1,000 people will be allowed to take part in gatherings in areas that are not close to the Gaza Strip or Lebanon.

In designated conflict zones, up to 30 people may gather outside and up to 300 inside. In these areas in particular, citizens should ensure that they can reach a shelter quickly if necessary.

Military tensions in the Middle East are soaring, following a suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran's embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus in early April. The Iranian state leadership has threatened to retaliate.