Israel begins biggest-ever Emergency Drill

In face of increased tensions with Syria and Iran's efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon, parts of the country will shut down later this week for what security officials say is the largest emergency exercise in Israel's history.

Drawing from lessons of the Second Lebanon War and in preparation for Iranian nuclear bombs as well as possible chemical and biological attacks, the Israel Police, IDF Home Front Command, other military branches, all of the country's hospitals, the Fire and Rescue Service, Magen David Adom and other rescue services will participate in the five-day drill.

"The sole objective of the exercise is to drill the home front," said the sources in PM Ehud Olmert's office, who added that the simulation of chemical and other attacks on Israeli cities was part of the lessons being implemented after the Second Lebanon War.

 

Defense Minister Ehud Barak led the effort to scale back rising tensions on the Syrian border, saying that Israel "has no interest in a deterioration of the sensitive situation on the northern front – and the other side knows this."

 

Speaking at an event honoring wounded IDF soldiers in Tel Aviv earlier in the evening, Barak said that Israel believes that its adversary also has little interest in such deterioration.

 

However the minister also said that while Israel was closely monitoring the situation, it was "primed and prepared" for any development.

According to Arab media, Damascus began two weeks ago to boost its forces on the Lebanon border in the Beqaa area – the "soft belly" of the Syrian defense disposition. The Syrians have also raised the alert level of the missile and rocket disposition and have called up reservists for training.

 

Hizbullah, on its part, is attempting to complete its preparedness to stop the Israel Defense Forces' tanks in southern Lebanon and to upgrade the rockets deployed north of the Litani River.

 

 

 

The current round of increased tension derives from Israel's estimate that Hizbullah, with the help of Iran and Syria, is planning a massive terror attack or a missile and rocket attack to avenge the assassination of its top commander Imad Mugniyah. Damascus may even join Hizbullah in order to avenge the reported Israeli airstrike on a Syrian nuclear facility.

 

Syria, Hizbullah and Iran know, however, that such a act of revenge is near, and fear that Israel would respond to it with a "disproportionate blow," as the Jewish state has openly threatened

Over the past few weeks, the Syrians have stationed three armored divisions, special forces and nine mechanized infantry divisions opposite Lebanon's western valley, as the Syrians estimate that a ground Israeli invasion may take place in that area.

 

The area is not only a strategic territory for Hizbullah, but also a problematic area for Syria, as it would not take the IDF long to place its cannons opposite the Syrian capital and control the Beirut-Damascus route.

These reinforcements are being conducted as Syrian sources report that the interior ministry in Damascus will announce the results of the investigation into the assassination of top Hizbullah commander Imad Mugniyah this weekend.

 

The probe is expected to point at the Israeli Mossad as being behind the assassination, with the help of Arab elements.

 

Mugniyah's assassination in the heart of Damascus has caused senior members of the Palestinian organizations to boost their caution measures. One of the operatives told the newspaper, "If Israel managed to reach Mugniyah, senior Islamic Jihad and Hamas operatives will be an easy target."