Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel has launched a major civil defense exercise.

Officials said the exercise, dubbed “Steadfast Home Front-1, was meant
to simulate a ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The officials said the exercise, part of a multi-year defense plan, also tested interoperability by the military, Defense Ministry, other ministries and local authorities.

“Israel is the most threatened state in the world; it is under missile
and rocket threat,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The exercise, which began on May 26, was the seventh edition of the
annual civil defense drill. Officials said the latest exercise, scheduled to
end on May 29, was meant to prepare military and civil authorities for a
chemical or nuclear attack.

“This year, the national exercise will focus on preparing the home front
for required government, civilian and military response to an unconventional weapons scenario within the home front,” the military said.

During the exercise, sirens sounded in cities throughout Israel.
Officials said a key scenario was of a Hizbullah and Syrian ballistic
missile strike, including those with CW warheads.

“This is a scenario that is more probable than in the past, but the use
of chemical weapons is still defined as a low probability,” Home Front
Defense Minister Gilad Erdan said.

  Benjamin Netanyahu, Gilad Erdan, Israeli civil defense drill prepares for ballistic missile attack, Steadfast Home Front