JERUSALEM Ñ Israel has determined that Iraq is preparing a
missile strike that could be launched at any time.
Officials said the government has prepared a series of plans to defend
against and retaliate for any Iraqi missile attack on Israel. They said the plans were
discussed and endorsed by the United States.
"Israel should be prepared to face an Iraqi attack at any moment,"
Israeli Science Minister Matan Vilnai said.
Israel's plans include the deployment of additional assets to defend
against
any Iraqi missile attack. Officials said Israel wants to deploy two Arrow-2
missile defense batteries, Middle East Newsline reported.
One Arrow-2 battery has been operational at an air force base in
southwestern Israel. A second Arrow-2 battery is meant for deployment at Ein
Shemer, east of the coastal city of Hadera.
So far, officials said, the Ein Shemer site contains the Green Pine
early-warning radar. They said the Arrow-2 battery and interceptors will be
deployed when the prospect of a U.S. attack on Baghdad is imminent.
A military statement said the second Arrow-2 battery is being deployed
as part of a multi-year test program. The statement said the deployment was
planned "a long time ago."
The officials said Iraq could decide to preempt any U.S. attack on the
regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein with a missile barrage against
Israel. They said such an Iraqi attack could be aimed at foiling U.S. plans
to use Jordan and Gulf states as launching pads for a military campaign
against Baghdad.
Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said Israel is well-prepared for
any U.S. war against Iraq. Ben-Eliezer said the Arrow-2 is ready to defend
against missile attacks and authorities have prepared enough gas masks to
protect Israelis from nonconventional weapons.
Officials said authorities have tested masks for the protection of
Israeli civilians against Iraqi chemical weapons attacks. The Defense
Ministry said the gas masks kits, produced by Even Sapir, passed their
latest round of tests,
conducted at a naval base in Haifa.
Production of the masks are expected to begin later this year. The kits
are expected to replace masks distributed by authorities since 1992. The new
masks, which will not require batteries for operation, will come in two
sizes and is meant to fit anyone above the age of eight.
Officials said the Defense Ministry wants to sell the production rights
for Even Sapir masks to U.S. contractors. They said this would guarantee
a production line for the masks during any war. The kit is estimated at
costing $60.
