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International News Title: Israel Tests Public's Attack Readiness With Major Drill JERUSALEM (May 23) -- Amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel today began a five day civil defense drill meant to test the public's readiness to cope with a large-scale rocket attack. The drill, the largest in Israel's history, will include police, soldiers, firemen, medical emergency crews and the public. Later this week, a siren will sound throughout the country and everyone will be asked to go to bomb shelters or stay sealed rooms for 10 minutes. In the face of recent tensions between Israel and Hezbollah guerillas in south Lebanon, Israeli officials insisted that the drill is an annual event and not meant to provoke tensions with Hezbollah or its patron, Iran. "This is a routine exercise that has been scheduled for some time," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau told the Israeli cabinet. "I would like to make it clear that it is not the result of any exceptional security development. On the contrary, Israel aspires towards calm, stability and peace. However, it is no secret that we live in a region that is under the threat of missiles and rockets. The State of Israel's best defense against this threat is – first of all – in maintaining deterrence and the IDF's decisive capability, and these we do without respite. This involves, I am compelled to say, considerable resources from the state." Israeli intelligence estimates that Hezbollah has some 40,000 rockets that can reach most of Israel. In the summer of 2006 Israel and Hezbollah fought a 34-day war during which Hezbollah fired some 4,200 rockets, killing 43 Israeli civilians. More than 100 Israeli soldiers were killed during the fighting. At least 1,300 Lebanese, including hundreds of civilians, died. Deputy Hezbollah head Nabil Qaouk called the Israeli civil defense drill a "war game" and said thousands of Hezbollah fighters were put on high alret for the possiblity of an attack by Israel. The civil defense drill in Israel comes as Lebanon holds municipal elections. Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah called on voters to choose candidates put forth by the coalition between Hezbollah and Amal, another Shi'ite party. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah increased last month after Israel accused Syria of smuggling Scuds and other weapons to Hezbollah, a charge Syria denies. Israeli military analyst Amos Harel said that there is no imminent threat of war between Israel and Hezbollah despite rhetoric on both sides. Yet, he said, Israel is facing more long-term threats from Hezbollah, from Hamas, which is also aquiring long-range weapons, and from Iran, which continues to pursue its nuclear program. "Hamas and Hezbollah, and even Syria and Iran, no longer seek Israel's destruction or to occupy its territory," Harel wrote in the Ha'aretz newspaper. "They are aiming for a war of attrition against Israel's ability to resist. As the central means for achieving this oal, they will target the home front with a massive bombardment." Israeli offiicals say this week's civil defense drill is meant to ensure that if that happens, Israel will be ready.
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