Home Front Command emergency drill
Home Front Command emergency drillIsrael news photo: Flash 90

It’s that time of year again, when Home Front Command begins military drills to remind Israelis of what to do in case of a sudden military attack.

HFC has announced it will hold a drill this week on Wednesday and Thursday in the southern coastal city of Ashkelon, which has been repeatedly targeted by Gaza missile attacks in past conflicts with Hamas terrorists.

The emergency preparedness exercise scheduled for Wednesday was to be held in the Atikot neighborhood, with HFC forces working together with firefighters Magen David Adom medical emergency service personnel.

A similar drill is also being held today (Wednesday) in the city of Rishon LeZion, further north and also along the coast. The exercise began in the morning and was expected to end sometime in the afternoon.

During last November’s Pillar of Defense (Amud Anan) launched by Israel to silence Gaza rocket fire against southern Israel, Rishon LeZion was also hit by long-range Iranian Fajr-5 missile fire for the first time.  

Residents in all affected areas have been notified that a heavy security presence is to be expected, and that they should not be alarmed.