An Iron Dome battery outside Haifa The IDF deployed several additional Iron Dome missile defense batteries in the Dan region around Tel Aviv and in the north Friday, as part of the army’s continued preparations for the possibility of conflict with Syria.
The deployment was accompanied by the stationing of longer-range Patriot anti-missile batteries in the north and center of the country. The air force has also raised the readiness level of its Arrow 2 batteries, which are tasked with intercepting long-range missiles from deep inside Syria or Iran.
An Iron Dome battery was deployed near Tel Aviv during last November’s skirmish with Hamas in Gaza, but was pointed south. This time, the focus is on the north, and a possible attack from Syria and/or Lebanon in the wake of any US strike on the Assad regime.
On Thursday, the IDF cut back on leave for soldiers in units stationed in the north. It has also called up several hundred reservists, including personnel to staff missile defense systems.
Netanyahu, who met with security chiefs in Tel Aviv late into Thursday, added: “We are not involved in the civil war in Syria. But let me reiterate, if someone tries to harm Israel’s citizens, the IDF will respond with immense power.”
On Friday, after further security consultations, Netanyahu praised the Israeli armed forces, saying the IDF was “stronger than ever.”
Source: timesofisrael
Read: IDF bolsters missile defense in the north
An Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system placed in Gush Dan, on November 16, 2012
