Dozens of government spokespersons took part on Monday in a first-of-its-kind exercise in preparation for a rocket offensive on southern Israel – a day before the city of Ashdod prepared for a similar eventuality.
Israel’s official public relations apparatus held its unique exercise for dozens of government-office spokespersons, including those of the Home Front Command, IDF, western Negev townships, rescue organizations. Cabinet Secretary Oved Yechezkel also took part.
The objective of the drill was to improve the above bodies' readiness for various crisis situations – most specifically, a security deterioration in the south. Emphasis was placed on efficient interaction between the various bodies, as well as ensuring uniformity in both policy and the information released to various audiences.
The exercise is being held in light of intelligence warnings that Hamas terrorists have rockets with a range of up to 40 kilometers. 
The first-ever exercise was run by the National Information Task Force in the Prime Minister’s Office, in partnership with the Defense Ministry’s Rachal (the National Emergency Authority).
On Tuesday, the Home Front Command held drills practicing for Kassam rocket fire in various cities – including, for the first time, in Ashdod. The port city of Ashdod is located some 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) north of Ashkelon, which itself is about 15 kilometers north of Gaza, from where the rockets are fired.
The exercise is being held in light of intelligence warnings received by the Shabak (General Security Service) that Hamas terrorists have rockets with a range of up to 40 kilometers. Shabak head Yuval Diskin reported to the Cabinet this week that the rocket threat from Gaza now includes Kiryat Gat, Ashdod and even Be’er Sheva, Israel’s 7th largest city.
Diskin warned the government that Hamas considers itself ready for a clash with the IDF, and will fire rockets at the above cities if the IDF begins a military offensive against Gaza.