IDF launches homefront drill amid rising tensions on Lebanon border
Hezbollah's deputy head says the Shi'ite organization has stepped up its alert status ahead of the 'war game' being conducted on Sunday in Israel.
By Anshel Pfeffer, Liel Kyzer and Avi IssacharoffIsrael's annual national home front exercise began Sunday, as Hezbollah played up fears in Lebanon that the drill means a conflict might loom with its southern neighbor.
The exercise, "Turning Point 4," was due to last five days and be carried out in all parts of the country. During the first three days the drill was to involve the Israel Defense Forces' various command centers, the police, emergency services, ministries and other government offices.
The exercise, which is held annually in May, was to be broadened on Wednesday to include civilians, with a siren sounded at 11 A.M. throughout the country. Civilians were instructed to to seek cover in shelters or other secure areas.
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IDF forces during Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon |
| Photo by: IDF |
Hezbollah's deputy head, Nabil Qaouk, said Friday that the Shi'ite organization had stepped up its alert status ahead of the "war game" being conducted on Sunday in Israel.
Qaouk said thousands of Hezbollah fighters will not take part in one of the stages of Lebanon's municipal elections today because they are preparing for the possible attack by Israel.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah called on voters to pick the candidates put forth by the coalition between Hezbollah and Amal, another Shi'ite group.
Joining Hezbollah in its worries, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the Israeli exercise contradicts efforts to reach comprehensive peace in the region.
Hariri met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo Saturday, ahead of his visit to Washington.
Israel has relayed messages to Arab states about the drill, stressing that it has no plans to launch an attack.
The exercise will focus this year on the ability of municipalities to respond to the launching of thousands of missiles and rockets on Israel. Most municipal authorities, where around 70 percent of the country's people live, will hold drills as part of the national effort, conducted by Home Front Command, the National Emergency Authority and the Defense Ministry.
Hundreds of police officers are scheduled to take part in the exercise; they will practice their three main tasks in the event of missile attacks: routine security, guiding traffic and maintaining order.
The police will be tested on how they respond to local emergencies while the force is spread out all over the country.
The main scenario for the police will be a strike on Be'er Sheva by missiles fitted with chemical warheads.
Another aspect of the drill will be surprise strikes at home front targets.
Many different elements of defense and rescue will be practiced. For the first time, for example, Israel will test its response to a blow to its computer and electronic-communications infrastructure after a cyber attack.
The authorities will also examine their ability to evacuate hundreds of thousands of civilians from areas hit by missile barrages or strikes by unconventional weapons.
The distribution of gas masks, something already underway over the past three months, will be expedited during the drill to include other parts of the country. Home Front Command will be tested on its ability to shift to emergency distribution on a national level.
Extensive participation by volunteers, nongovernment organizations and youth movements is expected to be part of the drill, especially in helping local authorities reach people and communities in distress or needing special assistance.
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All, Hezbollah lost in 2006 - badly. The Israelis ended the war on the Litani. They destroyed $1 billion worth of fortifications. Then, Hezbollah lost the election. Their coalition is the junior partner in the coalition. The Prime Minister is a US ally and the Lebanese military is building up rapidly to offset Hezbollah as an independent militia. The only thing that Hezbollah has is missiles and the ability to provoke Israel into a suicidal war. Yes, the Israelis will be hitting the bomb shelters as a few grads hit central Israel. On the other hand, 100,000 Israeli soldiers will be marching to South Beirut, relatively unopposed. Hezbollah will continue to do what it has been doing. Keeping absolute peace in the South.
israel is a country
Would it not make more sense to tell Hizbolah that any attack by them would result in Damascus being 'nuked'. It might bring the Syrians into the real world .
These exercises goal seem to show that Israel is under threath and needs to be doing something about Lebanon. Take care before you know it it is everyone into shelters again and a fatal blow to Israels's PR.
Israel is ready for war no question about it But what about peace are We ready for peace Is our diplomatic machine broken Come on we have the most represented Judicial status in American Courts can't we find one Jew that will succeed in persuading our enemy that peace is a better venture?
this is just a routine war drill.
Better sweat than bleed.
It seems that Hezbolah, a known and recognized terrorist organization speaks now for Lebanon, if this is so, Lebanon does not exist anymore and no further respect should be given to them, including their UN membership that should be cancelled. Lebanon was created as a Christian enclave and now it became an additional Muslim colony, a base for new attacks on the free world.
What a waste of bandwidth.
The books of history still waiting for you jaime S.
Here is an opportunity for the Lebanese to dump the Hezbollah in the elections. I wonder if the gutless Lebanese will take the opportunity to vote out the elements of Hezbollah that are undermining their government?
oh by the way while you're at it just go over and eradicate the threat once and for all time
yeah like they tried to "eradicate" the problem in 2006?? I wonder what happened ? Hezbollah is now twice stronger than before and until the threat from Israel exists then Hezbollah should keep arming itself. Israel arms itself via our money in the states, so how is Hezbollah any different?? Its a fact that Israel has killed 10 times the civillians that of hezbollah
Did you forget how many Israeli were dsplaced last time your Army tried
It's a fact the Hezbollah attacked Israel first. They kidnapped and murdered soldiers and fired rockets. The fact that Israel can inflict more damage is irrelevant.
what we did to your infrastructure? how about try peace? recognize israel and our right to live in peace. get rid of your terrorist governement in lebanon and gaza and... a novel idea... live in peace. build schools and hospitals. build power plants and tourism instead of rockets. try being anything but a terrorist thug race of people. PLEASE! Now I am begging.