Tensions high as U.S. Patriot missiles arrive in Israel

TEL AVIV — A U.S. Army brigade carrying Patriot anti-aircraft missiles has arrived in Israel as both Israeli and Arab military sources reported heightened regional tensions.

The U.S. brigade from the 69th Air Defense Artillery arrived in Haifa and is preparing for an exercise, called Juniper Cobra. The exercise — beginning Thursday and lasting 14 days — is one component of plans to increase U.S.-Israeli defense coordination amid threats of regional war that could involve Iraq and Syria.

Arab military sources said Israel and Hizbullah have beefed up their forces near the border with Lebanon. On late Sunday, the sources reported intensified Israeli patrols, deployment of additional tanks as well as fortified military and civilian outposts.

For its part, Hizbullah was reported to have brought in new batteries of Katyusha rockets. These include rockets with a range of 70 kilometers, capable of striking the northern city of Haifa.

In Beirut, Hizbullah deputy chief Naim Kassem said Hizbullah was ready to confront Israel. Kassem said Israel was confused and the leadership was under immense strain.

Israeli sources said Iraq continues to bolster its forces near the Syrian and Jordanian borders. They said nearly two Iraqi divisions are near the Syrian border in what appears to be a move coordinated with the regime in Damascus.

The London-based Sunday Times reported that both the Syrian and Israeli militaries are on full alert.

The United States has relayed messages to Damascus not to cooperate with Baghdad's plans to escalate tension. On Sunday, U.S. officials called for restraint, particularly in the Israeli-Palestinian mini-war in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israeli military source said the arrival of the Patriot battery does not effectively strengthen defense capabilities. The Patriot was developed as an anti-aircraft missile. But since the Gulf war, Raytheon has improved the missile so that it can intercept enemy projectiles.

But defense sources said the Patriot is simply too slow to intercept the more advanced missiles being developed by Egypt, Syria and Iran.