Signaling that Israel has reached the end of its preparation for a possibly imminent attack by Iraq, IDF Spokeswoman Brig.-Gen. Ruth Yaron publicly urged Israelis on Wednesday to prepare sealed rooms and get new gas mask kits.
"Whoever has not yet acquired the correct equipment should do so. This is the time to make those purchases," Yaron said in an interview with Israel Radio. "As of now I want to emphasize get ready, renew your gas masks, and finish buying equipment for sealing rooms."
In response, hundreds of people reportedly swamped gas mask distribution centers Wednesday, fearing an imminent attack.
Fearing that Yaron's statement would spark panic among the public, the Defense Ministry and the IDF scrambled to qualify it. A Defense Ministry source told Israel English daily “The Jerusalem Post” that Israel is under no immediate threat of attack.
"No instructions were given [Wednesday] morning, neither by me nor by anyone else, except to complete the preparations, meaning that those who have not yet renewed their gas mask kits should do so, and that they should go over the next few days to get the required materials," Yaron said in one of several radio interviews.
"Whoever has not yet acquired the correct equipment should do so. This is the time to make those purchases," Yaron said in an interview with Israel Radio. "As of now I want to emphasize get ready, renew your gas masks, and finish buying equipment for sealing rooms."
In response, hundreds of people reportedly swamped gas mask distribution centers Wednesday, fearing an imminent attack.
Fearing that Yaron's statement would spark panic among the public, the Defense Ministry and the IDF scrambled to qualify it. A Defense Ministry source told Israel English daily “The Jerusalem Post” that Israel is under no immediate threat of attack.
"No instructions were given [Wednesday] morning, neither by me nor by anyone else, except to complete the preparations, meaning that those who have not yet renewed their gas mask kits should do so, and that they should go over the next few days to get the required materials," Yaron said in one of several radio interviews.