Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has signed new Home Front Command restrictions for the Mount Meron area, banning outdoor gatherings of more than 200 people following updated security assessments.

The decision came after intelligence and operational information was presented to Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, prompting authorities to raise the alert level in Meron and nearby communities from “green” to “yellow.”

Under the new guidelines, gatherings will be limited to up to 200 people outdoors and up to 600 people indoors.

The measures follow a situation assessment and take effect beginning today through Monday, May 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. The affected areas—including Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGanuz, and Safsufa—will operate under a partial activity status as part of Home Front Command directives.

As a result, the detailed plan prepared by the Ministry of Yerushalayim and Heritage for the Lag BaOmer celebration at the site of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai is no longer viable, and the event will now be held in a significantly scaled-down format.

Just yesterday afternoon, a projectile impact was reported in an open area below Meron, an incident that officials say is not unusual and has occurred several times in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, thousands of people are already present at Mount Meron, having arrived ahead of the Shabbos preceding the annual celebration. It was also noted that the event coordinator, Yossi Deitch, previously stated in an interview that he would step down from managing the event if it were to proceed in a reduced format.