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Occupied Jerusalem: Israel launched a five-day civil defence exercise on Sunday that will include simulated chemical and biological attacks on the Jewish state.
Israeli media reported a rise in tension along Israel's northern border with Syria at the same times as news broke of the civil defence drill. Israeli officials said there had been no unusual Syrian military movements.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said at the start of Israel's weekly cabinet meeting, "I want to make it crystal clear that this is an exercise, and nothing but a routine exercise."
He added, "The Syrians know this and I hope they are assimilating this."
The exercise, Israel's biggest such drill in years, will include simulated attacks on cities by rockets carrying conventional payloads and chemical and biological warheads.
Schools and hospitals will participate in the exercise, during which an air raid siren will sound nationwide on Tuesday.
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