One indicator of increasing concerns among residents of Israel regarding the increased warfare in Syria may be the fact there is a significant increase in the number of residents seeking to get a gas mask personal protection kit.

Since February 2010, an average of 2,200 people reported to gas mask centers daily to receive a kit. According to the daily Maariv, since Sunday, 3 Menachem Av 5772 when reports were first released in Israel regarding concerns surrounding Syria’s chemical weaponry, there has been a 70% increase in the number of people seeking kits, averaging 3,700 daily.

To date, 4.12 million kits have been given out via seven Postal Authority stations. Homefront Command officials report that for the time being, they have kits in stock and the increase has not resulted in a shortage.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)