Israel Begins 5-day Civil Defense Drill Amid War Fears
以色列举行民防演习引发邻国担心
Israel has launched a major civil defense exercise amid fears of war.
在人们广泛担心爆发战争之际,以色列举行了一次大规模的民防演习。
Israel is conducting a five-day home-front security drill to prepare for the possibility of a major terrorist attack, war or natural disaster. Schools, hospitals and government offices are involved in the drill, which includes preparation for a missile attack with nuclear, chemical or biological warheads.
The drill has raised fears in neighboring Lebanon and Syria that Israel might be planning an attack, and those countries have raised the level of alert in their armed forces. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sought to ease tensions.
It is a routine drill, Mr. Olmert said at the weekly Cabinet meeting, adding that Israel does not want a war.
奥尔默特在每周一次的例行内阁会议上说,这是一次例行的演习,以色列并不想发动战争。
The exercise underscores concerns about a non-conventional war with Iran, which Israel believes is developing nuclear weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but its president has threatened to wipe Israel "off the map."