In what is alarming real today, security agencies will on Sunday conduct a preparedness training exercise simulating a missile attack in Ashdod and the surrounding area.

The comprehensive IDF event will include a number of area municipalities such as Kiryat Gat, Netivot, Ashkelon, Shar HaNegev Regional Council, Sderot, Chof Ashkelon and the Eshkol Regional Council.

Interestingly, the major event will not take place in the cities and municipalities mentioned above, but in the Defense Ministry, putting logistical and other response mechanisms to the test. The event will be run by Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, who admits the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza does not permit Israel to relax, but has compelled units to continue preparing for the likelihood of increased warfare in the future.

Vilnai told reporters that the military stands ready and continues to take steps to prepare for any eventuality, learning many lessons from the Second Lebanon War.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)