Israelis have been stocking up on essential supplies at the weekend in fear of retaliatory attacks from Iran after Israel on Friday launched a large-scale strike on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
Israelis usually spend their Fridays out in the sun, but concerns of retaliation by Iran has forced many indoors. Some residents are stocking up on essential food supplies ahead of a possible protracted conflict.
At Rotshield Boulevard in downtown Tel-Aviv on Friday, most of the people stayed at home listening to the instructions of the Home Front Command of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to remain close to the protected shelters.
Some other people chose to storm the stores from the very early hours of the morning to buy everything they can.
"Everybody is concerned. I was in the supermarket an hour ago and there is a long line, an hour long line to buy milk and eggs. It was incredible. There is a lack of a lot of basic products. It's crazy because I just want a few products in my house to be sure that I can survive in the next few days," said Itai, a local resident.
People are storing essentials, including water, milk and fruits, but not everybody feels panic.
"We just went to the supermarket and you can buy whatever you want. It's still full. Everything is there and there is no problem, nothing is missing, nothing is lacking. Everything is good. I don't think there is any hysteria whatsoever because they do tell you that they will give you a 10 minute notice and 10 minutes is plenty of time," said a local woman.
Multiple senior military commanders, including Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam Ali Rashid, were killed as a result of the airstrikes, state media reported.
The Israeli airstrikes also killed at least two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, reports said.
Explosions were reported in Tehran and the counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Friday that Israel will receive harsh punishment.
Israel "has prepared a bitter fate for itself, which it will definitely receive," he said in a statement.
Israelis stock up on essential supplies over concerns about Iranian retaliation
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
