Israel puts its military on full alert amid fears Iran could launch an attack at any moment: School trips and youth activities are called off and public gathering limited as dozens of warplanes are scrambled to the air

Israel today closed all school and cancelled school trips and other youth activities planned for the coming days, the beginning of the Passover festival, and placed the armed forces on full alert due to a possible attack by Iran.

Announcing the measures in a televised briefing, chief military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said dozens of combat planes were airborne as part of the state of readiness.

Starting from 11pm tonight, the strict measures, which include the ban of all 'educational activities' across the country, the restriction of working in offices without 'standard protected spaces' and limits on the number of people at gatherings', will be implemented. 

Educational activities have been banned across the country, while restrictions on working have been put in place on areas directly next to the Gaza Strip, and other areas in the Gaza Envelope. 

Israelis living on the areas next to the Gaza Strip have been banned from meeting outside in groups of more than 30, and are allowed to meet up to 300 people inside buildings. Beaches in the Gaza Envelope have also been closed to the public. 

Hagari said in the televised address that the directive will be reassessed at 6am local time, and urged Israelis to remain vigilant and to head to bomb shelters if they hear warnings.

'We are taking all steps possible to ensure your safety. 

'Since the start of the war, we have faced a variety of threats sent here by Iran's proxies and adapted our defense and attack systems accordingly,' Hagari said, adding that the IDF was 'fully prepared' for Iranian attacks. 

'The air force's defense and attack formations are on alert and dozens of planes are in the sky. We are conducting a situational assessment with our strategic partners, led by the USA, and we are maintaining close coordination with them,' he added.

Hagari's televised message came as Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant held a meeting with top-level defence officials, including the IDF's chief Herzi Halevi. 

Gallant said the IDF was 'closely monitoring a planned attack by Iran and its proxies against the State of Israel.'

'We have added new capabilities - on land, in the air, at sea, in our intelligence directorate, within the State of Israel, and together with our partners, led by the United States.

'Iran is a terrorist state - the world is seeing this now more than ever.'

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly on his way to the IDF's headquarters in Hakirya for security consultations with top military officials in light of the threat of attack by Iran. 

Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities. 

Jordan, Israel's eastern neighbour, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. 

The increased security measures were announced hours after Iranian commandos took control of an Israel-linked container ship as it travelled in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important shipping chokepoints. 

Tensions between Iran and Israel have been massively escalating after the IDF killed 12 people, including two top military figures, in an airstrike against Iran's embassy in Syria's capital, Damascus, on April 1. 

More to follow.