We are in the middle of a 5-day targil. The exercise, code-named Turning Point Four, is Israel's largest civil defense operation since it first launched the annual drill four years ago in the wake of the Lebanon war, during which Hizbullah fired thousands of rockets into northern Israel.
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Let's look at how the Jerusalem Post describes the practice scenario, beginning last Sunday:
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"Israel came under heavy simulated missile fire in what would be the 15th day of a mock all-out regional war with Hizbullah [who are in Lebanon], Syria, Hamas [i.e. Gaza Strip], and Iran.
. . . close to 200 rockets and missiles, included ones with chemical warheads launched from Syria, landed in the center of the country.
The focus of the drill is on 38 local councils, mostly from the center of the country, which are undergoing a series of simulations to test their ability to continue providing basic services [e.g. water supply] for their residents at a time of war.
Under the scenario, most of the missiles were landing in the Gush Dan region in the center of the country, from which about 200,000 residents decided to flee south. The Eilat Municipality was asked, in the drill, to prepare a plan to absorb some of the refugees."
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Just a few months ago these sirens were installed one block from my house.This Wednesday at 11:00 we will get to hear them.
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The whole country will have a siren wailing then, and we are supposed to go immediately to whatever our bomb shelter or safe place is and to stay there about ten minutes.
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Is that a little solar power source I see? Good idea. .
In all this seriousness I had to laugh to read this at the Israel Defense Force blog:
"The exercise will also examine warning systems on cellular phones, and civilians in certain areas may therefore receive text messages that read “Have a nice day” signed by the IDF Home Front Command."
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The IDF Spokesman put up some photos of yesterday's search and rescue practice operation. So many girl soldiers!
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You can also see previous posts:
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For more about the incoming missiles warning on cell phone and computers, do see my
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Let us hope that none of this ever really happens!
But, such as it is, that is my world for That's My World Tuesday.
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Just makes me shudder. Thanks for telling us though.
ReplyDeleteHey, isn't that a bridge???
Hello Dina,
ReplyDeleteBe a good girl now and do the safety drill.
Psalm 83 seems to be on the horizon but look what else it says, poor Damascus. Israel will be victorious.
The Lord your God is with you.
Cheers Aussie Lady
Ciel, it IS a bridge. For the future tram. It is Jerusalem's new Calatrava bridge. Yes, worthy of Louis la Vache and group. Soon.
ReplyDeleteAussie Lady and Moneythoughts, thanks for your support (from different directions).
Indeed, let's pray - not just hope - that this remains only a drill!
ReplyDeleteI do pray for the peace of Jerusalem
ReplyDeletePatsy
Sad but very interesting. In Israel I only heard the sound of sirens to call the minutes of silence. There weren't cellphones then and laptops were still awfully expensive.
ReplyDeleteWow, Dina! This is an amazing and haunting. What a photo-journey you present us, along with the JP writings, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me chills.
I'm sorry it is so necessary to have to have exercises like this.
Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt all reminds me too much of WW II.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, from the Home Front Command?
ReplyDeleteThat is freaking hysterical.
So far the drill's been a non-entity in my city but I'm sure we'll have the sirens along with the rest tomorrow. I'm glad my kids are old enough that the noise no longer freaks them out.
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May peace reign.
ReplyDeleteRegards.
Every year or so we see reports of drills locally--on a much smaller scale, though. At the hospital, for example--a drill for a nearby natural disaster or major accident or incident. Or sometimes a citywide drill measuring the capacity of all local agencies --police, fire, hospital, etc--to cope. They usually take place without much fanfare and we don't know about them till theya re mentioned in a brief latenight news item. We were invited to be causalties when the National Park Service did such a drill not too long ago, but in wintertime it is a four or five hour drive to get to the part of the park that is open, so we passed.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know that you are prepared.
I can just image our suburban matrons partaking in an exercise like this.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you have to worry about this sort of thing. It is darn scary.
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