As of two weeks ago, many in Israel considered it a likely possibility that Independence Day celebrations would be shelved just as their Purim and Passover plans had been, marking another holiday running to bomb shelters and dodging missiles, rockets and drones rather than getting together with friends and family or going out for the day’s festivities.

But with ceasefires with both Iran and Hezbollah holding, even if both are somewhat shaky, the party is back on. Cities are once again planning concerts, street performances and other public celebrations for Tuesday night and Wednesday, and people across the country are gearing up to throng beaches, parks and backyards to mark Israel’s 78th birthday.

Still, some are opting for more subdued festivities, with many still recovering from a month of deadly bombardments from Iran and its Lebanon-based proxy, which continued lobbing rockets at northern Israel for an additional nine days after the war in Iran was suspended.

“This year we will celebrate Independence Day differently,” said Karmiel Mayor Moshe Koninsky, whose Galilee city was pounded by Hezbollah. Koninsky said he had opted out of large-scale performances, deciding to hold smaller local events instead. “We will pray for better, quieter days — and celebrate in a big way this summer.”

On Saturday night, the Home Front Command lifted all remaining restrictions on public gatherings nationwide, and Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar announced that there would be no limits on cultural and sporting events, paving the way for full-scale Independence Day celebrations after weeks of disruption.

The curbs were removed even though the two-week ceasefire with Iran reached on April 8 is set to expire late Wednesday. US President Donald Trump signaled Sunday that talks with Iran on extending the truce would resume on Tuesday, though the Islamic Republic indicated it was not planning to send a delegation and was pessimistic about the prospects of the talks. Still, many believe the ceasefire will be extended. A more fragile 10-day ceasefire with........

© The Times of Israel