23/05/2010 Israeli largest ever home front exercise began Sunday morning as part of the emergency authorities' preparation for a number of possible scenarios, including an electronic attack against the Zionist entity.
The drill, code-named Turning Point 4, will simulate the firing of hundreds of missiles from different fronts. Similar, smaller-sized drills were conducted in 2009 and 2008.
The fourth annual drill is due to last five days and be carried out in all parts of the country. During the first three days the drill will involve the Israeli occupation army’s various command centers, the police, emergency services, ministries and other government offices.
According to Israeli defense officials, the emphasis of this year's exercise will be on the response of local authorities to a military emergency. "These types of exercises will not only reduce the number of Israeli casualties in the next conflict, they may determine the conflict's outcome," a senior Israeli defense official told Ynet on Saturday.
The exercise, which is held annually in May, will be broadened on Wednesday to include civilians, with a siren sounded at 11 A.M. throughout the occupied country. Settlers will have to seek cover in shelters or other secure areas.
Lebanese media reports said residents of several south Lebanon towns heard explosions and gunfire inside the occupied territories on Saturday night, an indication of the beginning of the drill.
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, meanwhile, stressed that Israel had communicated with its neighbors, including Syria, through intermediaries to reassure them of its peaceful intentions.
Hezbollah's representatives in southern Lebanon, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, said Friday that the resistance organization had stepped up its alert status ahead of the "war game" being conducted on Sunday in the Zionist entity.
Sheikh Qaouk said thousands of Hezbollah resistance fighters will not take part in one of the stages of Lebanon's municipal elections on Sunday because they are preparing for any possible attack by the Zionist entity.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah told the Lebanese on Friday not to fear the drill. He said people in South Lebanon will be celebrating the May 23 municipal and mukhtar elections while millions in the Zionist entity hide in shelters as part of the exercise.
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 Israeli Defense Ministry.
Hundreds of Israeli 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 settlers from areas hit by missile barrages or strikes by unconventional weapons.
Eight communities will practice the speedy distribution of gas masks. "During a war, the home front will go through a trying time," an Israeli army official said, "Apart from the mental anguish, some areas will face various crises, and the correct response may reduce the uncertainty."
"The drill is based on operative plans and lessons drawn from Operation Cast Lead," said the official.
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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