The nation of Israel was warned of potential increased attacks by Iran and Hezbollah during the Passover week, and especially on Wednesday night during the traditional Passover Seder meal. The military and defense systems were on high alert, said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin.

In recent days, Iran’s launching of missiles had slowed to ten to fifteen missiles a day. On the first day of war, there were ninety ballistic missiles sent. Recently, launches have come in smaller numbers, often between one and three missiles in each barrage.

Sirens sounded repeatedly throughout the country at the start of Passover, sending millions to their bomb shelters. Iran sent multiple barrages toward Jerusalem, central Israel, and northern Israel. Soon enough, Hezbollah sent rockets toward Haifa and Israel’s northern-most communities. A few of the missiles carried cluster munitions which spread deadly smaller bombs across central Israel with reports of impacts, damage, and injuries in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikvah, and Bnei Barak.

Due to the significant reduction of people allowed to gather in public places, the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City was not allowed to hold the Passover priestly blessings. Normally, tens of thousands of worshippers descending from the priestly line gather to pray before Passover. This year, just fifty selected people gathered, and the event was broadcasted live.

The Western Wall Plaza, the Al Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre all had major religious events reduced for fear of rocket alerts and inadequate space for hundreds, if not thousands, of worshippers to seek proper shelter. Multiple sites in and around the Old City have had significant shrapnel falls and damage.

Please pray for safety during the final days of the Passover holiday for the nation of Israel and Jewish people globally.

Read more at Times of Israel