by Ezra HaLevi
(IsraelNN.com) The State of Israel is under attack from Syria, Lebanon and Gaza according to the practice exercise starting Sunday.
The IDF Home Front Command, in cooperation with the recently-established National Emergency Authority, called "Rachel" for its Hebrew acronym, local authorities, different governmental offices, security and rescue teams and the educational system will participate in a comprehensive national training exercise which will take place across the country beginning Sunday.
Israelis awoke to radio announcers describing the scenario being practiced for: It is the fourth day of the war. Israel is under missile attack from the Hizbullah in Lebanon and from Syria. Kassam rockets and Grad-type Katyusha missiles are being launched at Netivot and Ashkelon from Gaza.
The IDF dispatched a statement assuring citizens that the drill has been planned "as part of the IDF 2008 work plan," and emphasizing: The exercise was not planned in relation to any current events.
Syria and Lebanon are reportedly on high alert, nonetheless. Army Radio reported that while the practice exercizes are being held, Hizbullah terrorists and Syria will be deployed and readied for an all-out confrontation - something Syria is claiming is a result of the fear that Israel will launch an attack.
The National Emergency Authority
This will be the first exercise led by "Rachel".
"The aim of the exercise is to prepare the different services and institutes operating in the civilian environment for various emergency situations," the IDF said. "The exercise will incorporate operations at a staff and field level, and will be operated by the National Emergency Authority and the Home Front Command."
Citizens to be Involved Tuesday
As part of the exercise, a minute and a half long siren will be heard on Tuesday, April 8th, at 10 a.m. across the country. Every town will be included except for "Sderot and the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip," according to the IDF - ostensibly because terrorists would use a practice drill as an opportunity to launch real rockets. It is unclear whether Ashkelon will be included.
The government has hired veteran news anchor Gadi Sukenik to broadcast emergency instructions Tuesday - and to do the same in the event of a real emergency. Channel 33 will feature instructions from 10 to 11 a.m., broadcast from the Home Front Command's new studio. During the broadcast Sukenik will speak on behalf of GOC Home Front Command (H.F.C.), Maj. Gen. Yair Golan. H.F.C. will broadcast guidance and tutorial videos on how to choose a protected space and how to behave during an alert.
At the same time, an exercise led by the national educational institutions will take place in which schools and kindergartens will practice entering protected spaces. During the sounding of the siren, Home Front Command bases, as well as Governmental Offices and Public Institutions, will also practice entering protected spaces. A national exercise will also take place with the participation of local and other authorities and with the participation of the Home Front's liaison units, which were especially recruited for the exercises.
On Tuesday- Thursday, April 8-10th, 2008, a field exercise that will simulate various potential scenarios will take place. Among the scenarios to be practiced: conventional and non-conventional rockets hitting Israel, chemical-biological incidents, an exercise in "HaEmek" hospital in Afula and different search and rescue drills.
A notice regarding the location and possible hours for covering the exercise will be sent separately to the media. For further information: Home Front Information Center- *1207, or online: www.oref.org.il.
Original Source