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Israel is preparing to reopen schools and preschools on Sunday with a phased system of small groups, after the Home Front Command advised that learning can resume across the country based on the regional threat levels.

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu accepted the Education Ministry’s proposal for a gradual return using capsule groupings, rejecting an alternative plan by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that would have placed teachers on leave and required them to make up the days later in the summer.

The Education Ministry stated: “The outline of the Minister of Education allows for a gradual return of the education system to in-person activity after the Passover holiday, while maintaining student safety and strengthening the educational and emotional response. Implementation of the plan for this coming Sunday will be subject to a situational assessment by the Home Front Command to be held at the conclusion of the holiday.”

At a meeting held Monday under Netanyahu’s leadership, officials approved the phased return beginning Sunday, pending final authorization from the Home Front Command. In the meantime, existing safety restrictions remain in place until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Oren Ozen, chairman of the National Parents Leadership Council, expressed support for the move, saying: “We believe that returning children to educational frameworks, where it can be done safely, is a correct and necessary step. The education system is a central anchor for both children and parents, and returning to it provides stability, routine, and emotional support during a complex period. At the same time, it is important to maintain flexibility and understand that there are families who are still concerned, and therefore tailored solutions must also be allowed for them.”

During a meeting earlier in the day between parent representatives and education officials, it was emphasized that wherever conditions allow, schools and kindergartens should reopen fully without splitting students into smaller groups, provided there is proper access to protected areas within required timeframes.

Parents also called for accommodations for families choosing to keep children at home, including protections against absences, continued academic and emotional support, and financial safeguards for parents, recognizing that many are still dealing with ongoing concerns.

According to the Home Front Command, reopening will be based on threat levels in each region. In areas marked orange on the national map—including cities such as Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Givatayim, Cholon, Bat Yam, Rishon Letzion, Be’er Sheva, Dimona, Arad, and northern communities—classes will be permitted only within protected spaces. In areas marked yellow, studies may take place near protected spaces.

Satellite company Planet Labs announced that it will stop providing imagery of Iran and surrounding conflict zones for an indefinite period, following a request from the U.S. government.

The California-based firm informed customers by email that Washington had asked all commercial satellite providers to suspend distribution of images from the region without a set end date.

The move builds on a restriction introduced last month, when Planet Labs delayed releasing Middle East imagery by 14 days, citing concerns that such data could be exploited by hostile actors targeting the United States and its allies.

According to the company, the updated policy will apply retroactively to imagery captured as far back as March 9 and is expected to remain in place for the duration of the ongoing conflict.

The current war began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes on Iran. The situation quickly escalated as Tehran retaliated with attacks against Israel and American military installations in Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Satellite data plays a critical role in modern warfare, supporting functions such as identifying targets, guiding weapons systems, tracking missile activity, and enabling communications. Analysts have also noted that Iran may be obtaining commercially available imagery, including through intermediaries aligned with U.S. adversaries. At the same time, such imagery is widely used by journalists and researchers to monitor areas that are otherwise difficult to access.

Planet Labs, which operates one of the world’s largest constellations of Earth-observing satellites and supplies frequent updates to governments, corporations, and media outlets, declined to provide additional comment beyond its customer notice.

The Pentagon said it does not comment on intelligence-related matters.

In its communication, Planet Labs stated that it will transition to a “managed distribution of images” deemed safe for release. Under this framework, imagery may be shared selectively on a case-by-case basis when it meets urgent operational needs or serves the public interest.

“These are extraordinary circumstances, and we are doing all we can to balance the needs of all our stakeholders,” the firm said.

Meanwhile, another commercial imagery provider, Vantor, formerly known as Maxar Technologies, told Reuters it had not received a similar request from the U.S. government. The company noted that it already maintains the authority to “implement enhanced access controls during times of geopolitical conflict” and has applied such measures in parts of the Middle East.

A spokesperson for Vantor explained that these restrictions may include limiting who can request new images or purchase existing ones from areas where U.S. forces and their allies are “actively operating,” as well as locations “actively targeted by adversaries.”