Home Front Command
The Home Front Command (HFC) is the IDF's regional command responsible for civil defense, public safety, and the coordination of civilian protection across Israel during emergencies.
The Home Front Command (HFC) serves as the primary bridge between the Israel Defense Forces and the civilian population. Established in 1992 following the lessons of the Gulf War, its mission is to strengthen national resilience by preparing the civilian sector for various threats, ranging from rocket fire and terror attacks to natural disasters. The command is currently led by Major General Shay Kleper. In times of active conflict, the HFC is responsible for issuing real-time life-saving instructions, managing the national alert system (including sirens and mobile app notifications), and determining the 'Defense Policy'—a set of guidelines that dictate the scale of educational activities, workplace operations, and public gatherings based on the prevailing threat level. During the June 2026 escalation involving direct Iranian missile barrages and subsequent exchanges with Hezbollah, the HFC played a pivotal role in managing the national alert cycle. Following a period of high alert that included nationwide gathering restrictions and school closures, the command managed a gradual return to routine. By late June 2026, as the ceasefire held, the HFC moved the entire country to a 'green' routine status, lifting the final restrictions on northern frontline communities such as Safsufa, Meron, and Yesud HaMa’ala. Beyond domestic defense, the HFC maintains specialized search and rescue units capable of international deployment. In late June 2026, the command dispatched a joint delegation with the Foreign Ministry to Venezuela to assist in earthquake relief efforts, led by Brig.-Gen. Elad Edri. This humanitarian outreach underscores the command's dual role as a domestic shield and a professional rescue authority on the global stage.