Israeli basketball leaders have announced a temporary pause in the league season due to escalating military activity in the region. On Saturday morning, US and Israeli forces commenced attacks against Iran, leading to safety concerns for foreign players in the Israeli league. Clubs have been instructed to evacuate their foreign players from the country, with reports stating that they will be relocated to Egypt or Jordan before heading to Bulgaria. This drastic decision reflects the significant impact that ongoing military tensions have on the sporting world.

The top-tier Israeli basketball team, Hapoel Tel Aviv, is moving its entire team and coaching staff to Bulgaria in response to the situation. Meanwhile, another prominent club, Maccabi Tel Aviv, which recently played a Euroleague match in Monaco, has also decided to not allow its foreign players to return to Israel. Both Maccabi and Hapoel Jerusalem are reportedly relocating their operations temporarily to Belgrade, Serbia, further illustrating the widespread disruption caused by the current crisis.

Upcoming matches in the Euroleague, including a derby between Tel Aviv clubs that was supposed to take place in Israel, are now at risk as alternative venues are being sought. This raises significant questions regarding the future of Israeli basketball amid ongoing conflict, as clubs aim to prioritize the safety of their players while trying to maintain their competitive presence internationally. The situation remains fluid, and it remains to be seen how these developments will affect the rest of the season and the players' well-being.