Always on, always anxious: sirens, alerts, media exposure, and civilian impairment during the Israel-Hamas War

This study examined how technological warning systems and media exposure interact with psychological processes to affect daily functioning among Israeli civilians during the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict. Using a representative sample (N = 524) and validated measures, we found in multivariable models that war-related anxiety was the strongest predictor of functional impairment, with persistent intrusive thoughts and external interruptions also contributing significantly. Mediation analyses showed that anxiety and information-seeking behaviours amplified the disruptive effects of alerts, operating as indirect pathways from exposure to impairment. Together, the results suggest that technology-driven alerts and media environments influence functioning both directly, through recurrent external interruptions, and indirectly, by heightening anxiety and cognitive intrusions. The findings underscore the importance of human-centred crisis communication strategies and adaptive digital alert systems in mitigating psychological harm during armed conflict, including design choices that reduce unnecessary notifications, support informed information-seeking, and promote psychological resilience.