Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., December 29, 2008 Tevet 2, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:10 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Op tests home front for first time since Lebanon War By Nir Hasson Yesterday was the first time that the National Emergency Authority was tested in real time. The authority was formed as part of the efforts to improve services to the home front, which had proved a weak spot during the Second Lebanon War. Advertisement The authority, headed by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, informed civilians that the Israel Defense Forces Home Front Command recommended people near Gaza stay close to air-raid shelters. The authority, known locally by its initials Rachel, declared a "special situation" in those towns and cities. The Home Front Command broke the towns within 30 kilometers of Gaza into three groups, based on proximity. Residents of towns within 10 kilometers of the border were instructed to remain within shelters, or no more than 15 seconds away. They were instructed to refrain from convening in large groups. Residents of towns 10 to 20 kilometers away from the border fence - including Netivot, Ashkelon and the Bnei Shimon Regional Council - were instructed to reach a shelter within 30 seconds, should a siren sound. Residents in those areas were advised not to gather in groups of more than 100, and were told to remain within concrete buildings. Towns 20 to 30 kilometers from Gaza, including Ashdod, Ofakim, Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Rahat and others, were instructed to take cover within 45 seconds should a siren found, and not to gather in groups of more than 500. Before Operation Cast Lead began yesterday, the Home Front Command had connected many communities within 30 kilometers of Gaza to the Color Red missile alert system. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bombing protest A suicide bomber blows himself up amid an anti-Israel protest in Iraq. Underground medicine Ashkelon's hospital moves essential departments into an underground bomb shelter.

Read & React Gazans breach Egypt border as IAF hits more than 40 Gaza smuggling tunnels Responses: 251 Bradley Burston: Gaza war: The worst anti-Israel charges you'll hear Responses: 124 Disinformation, secrecy and lies: How the Gaza offensive came about Responses: 114 Iran orders all Muslims to defend Palestinians against Israeli raids Responses: 104 Gideon Levy: The neighborhood bully strikes again Responses: 91 More Headlines 00:42 In response to Gaza raids, Hamas threatens to assassinate Livni, Barak 23:18 Hezbollah: Israel may take this opportunity to attack Lebanon 22:48 In protest of Gaza attacks, Syria halts indirect talks with Israel 23:19 Anti-Israel protests over Gaza raids draw thousands across Europe 23:25 ADL slams UN condemnation of Israel Gaza op as 'sheer hypocrisy' 23:27 Suicide bomber kills 1, wounds 16 at protest against Gaza raids in Iraq 09:07 IN PICTURES / Israel strikes the Gaza Strip 00:10 Cost of calling up 6,700 reservists for Gaza op is NIS 3 million a day 23:33 Saudi cleric issues fatwa urging Muslims to avenge Gaza raids 20:31 Israeli Arabs protesting Gaza campaign clash with police 19:45 'Little Baghdad' in Gaza - bombs, fear and rage 22:11 Ashkelon hospital moves its essential departments underground 22:40 Two Katyusha rockets hit Ashdod area, Gaza militants' furthest target yet 19:46 UN Security Council calls for immediate halt to Gaza violence 23:54 Report: Amid Gaza op, IAF sets off sonic booms over Lebanon Previous Editions Select Day 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 22 dec 21 dec 19 dec 18 dec 17 dec 16 dec 15 dec

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