According to IDF Homefront Command Colonel Hilik Sofer, who heads the population division, the nation is not prepared for a chemical attack, primarily due to the lack of gas mask protection kits. He acknowledged that to date, 300,000 masks have been distributed around the country, but he says this is not sufficient and the distribution must be improved. Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday attended a meeting of (NEMA) National Emergency Management Authority officials in the Defense Ministry, who briefed him on the four-day training event dubbed Turning Point 4.

Mr. Barak stressed the drill is an annual event, seeking to allay fears that the event is due to fears of an imminent attack from Iran or Hizbullah.

Sofer’s remarks have resulted in concern among many, with the senior official explaining that to date; only about 5% of residents have gas masks and while distribution can be accomplished in a matter of weeks should the need arise, there are only enough masks for 60% of the population.

Sirens sounded nationwide in Israel on Wednesday as part of the exercise, at which time residents were instructed to enter shelters and safe rooms. Motorists were instructed to continue driving as the nationwide exercise that is still ongoing, is intended to measure various aspects of preparedness, but it was not intended to halt the flow of traffic.

Major training related events are taking place in Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, the Port of Ashdod and the Defense Minister in Tel Aviv.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)