"The level of preparedness remains unchanged," army officials emphasized this morning (Sunday) in the media.
Brigadier-General Eitan Dangut of the Homefront Command stated this morning in an interview to Israel's Channel One Television that civilians should continue to carry their protective kits with them. According to the Brig.-Gen Dangut, "The threat remains the same, as does the likelihood of being attacked. It is low."
"The public is acting maturely and relating to the instructions of the Homefront Command. 96% of the public is equipped with protective kits. Our job is to instruct the public in the proper proportion. All of the instructions that have been issued to date have passed an orderly evaluation. We are continuing to make decisions for the public based upon ongoing situation assessments."
Major-General Amos Gilad, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, clarified this morning in an interview to YNET that the public has been asked to maintain sealed rooms and to keep gas masks within reach.
"The public should maintain their routine, go to work and school, but also, carry their masks and listen to instructions from the Homefront Command. A singular event could be dangerous, thus it is important to remain aware."
Gilad added that the IDF would lower the level of preparedness the moment it is possible to do so.
Gilad explained that, "As long as the regime of Saddam Hussein exists and western Iraq is not under control of coalition forces, the threat to Israel is not diminished and thus there is no change in the level of preparedness." Maj.-Gen. Gilad added that despite the reports about the H2 and H3 areas of western Iraq (from which SCUDs have been launched at Israel in the past) being under coalition control, there is no reason to change the level of preparedness.
"Taking control of the airports in H2 and H3 does not diminish or eliminate the danger," Gilad added. "Western Iraq is a huge area, and as long as there is not complete control over it, there can be no prevention of hostile activity. As long as Saddam and his regime have not collapsed the danger is minimal, but the possibility exists that someone could still fire upon Israel."
Brigadier-General Eitan Dangut of the Homefront Command stated this morning in an interview to Israel's Channel One Television that civilians should continue to carry their protective kits with them. According to the Brig.-Gen Dangut, "The threat remains the same, as does the likelihood of being attacked. It is low."
"The public is acting maturely and relating to the instructions of the Homefront Command. 96% of the public is equipped with protective kits. Our job is to instruct the public in the proper proportion. All of the instructions that have been issued to date have passed an orderly evaluation. We are continuing to make decisions for the public based upon ongoing situation assessments."
Major-General Amos Gilad, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, clarified this morning in an interview to YNET that the public has been asked to maintain sealed rooms and to keep gas masks within reach.
"The public should maintain their routine, go to work and school, but also, carry their masks and listen to instructions from the Homefront Command. A singular event could be dangerous, thus it is important to remain aware."
Gilad added that the IDF would lower the level of preparedness the moment it is possible to do so.
Gilad explained that, "As long as the regime of Saddam Hussein exists and western Iraq is not under control of coalition forces, the threat to Israel is not diminished and thus there is no change in the level of preparedness." Maj.-Gen. Gilad added that despite the reports about the H2 and H3 areas of western Iraq (from which SCUDs have been launched at Israel in the past) being under coalition control, there is no reason to change the level of preparedness.
"Taking control of the airports in H2 and H3 does not diminish or eliminate the danger," Gilad added. "Western Iraq is a huge area, and as long as there is not complete control over it, there can be no prevention of hostile activity. As long as Saddam and his regime have not collapsed the danger is minimal, but the possibility exists that someone could still fire upon Israel."