Israel gears up for war

Jerusalem Post ^ | 3/19/03 | THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

[randita]

Mar. 19, 2003 Israel gears up for war By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

US Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer briefed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today in anticipation of a US strike against Iraq.

The two met this afternoon at Sharon's office, shortly after Kurtzer met with Israeli President Moshe Katsav and pledged the US was making efforts to prevent an Iraqi missile strike against Israel.

Earlier today, IDF soldiers were ordered to carry around gas masks as Israel upgraded its preparedness for the war in the Gulf which defense officials expect to erupt as early as Thursday morning.

Reports Wedenesday afternoon said US and British troops were already heading into the demilitarized zone north of Kuwait in the direction of Iraq.

Israel has called up some 11,000 reservists from anti-aircraft and Home Front Command units.

The general public was told not to open up chemical warfare protection kits, pending further notification.

The instructions followed an emergency cabinet meeting held Wednesday morning, at which Prime Minister Ariel Sharon wished the US good luck, while stressing that Israel is not involved in the war.

Sharon assessed there is only a one percent chance of Israel being attacked by Iraq during the conflict, but added that Israel needs to be completely ready for any evenutality.

Defense experts believe the most threatening time for Israel would be the first two days of the war, before the US forces destroy any missile launchers that have been deployed in western Iraq.

"Although the danger of us being attacked is only one percent, we have taken steps that give us 100 percent coverage," in the event of an attack, Sharon told ministers, in remarks broadcast over Israel Radio.

He urged the Israeli public to remain calm and continue showing its characteristic courageousness.

Civilians were urged on Tuesday to prepare a sealed room to protect against the possibility of facing a chemical or biological attack.

However, schools are scheduled to reopen tomorrow after the Purim holiday. School authorities are also preparing sealed rooms or applying plastic sheeting to the openings of shelters to make sure they can protect against chemical warfare.

After wishing the US good luck in its fight against Iraq, Sharon added:

"This isn't a war that we are involved in."

Israel, however, "views this war with ultimate regard. We are in awe of the United States and President George Bush who are conducting an international campaign against terrorism," Sharon said.

[randita]

This also from the Jerusalem Post:

Hundreds of Israelis from the center of the country were reported arriving today in the southern port city of Eilat, amid heightened fears that Iraq could retaliate for a US strike by firing missiles at Israel.

While Eilat is considered an unlikely target for an Iraqi missile, Home Front Command opened a station to obtain gas masks in the city today, media reports said.

Many Israelis fled to Eilat during the 1991 Gulf War, when 39 Scud missiles were fired at Israel. Fewer civilians were expected to flee the center of the country during the current conflict, particularly since the prospect of facing an attack is much smaller than 12 years ago.

But many Israelis appear to be heading to calmer areas nonetheless due to the tensions involved in preparing a safe or sealed room and confusion surrounding the issue of whether or not there is anything to worry about.

[tomkat]

Sharon assessed there is only a one percent chance of Israel being attacked by Iraq during the conflict ...

hope the man has solid intelligence on which to base this.
would also be curious if he means attacked by iraq specifically, or any of israel's 'peaceful' neighbors ...