Israel starts biggest civil defense drill in its history

Israel on Sunday kicked off its biggest civil defense drill in its history, training soldiers, emergency crews and civilians for the possibility of a regional war,

which will include the firing of long-range missiles from Iran. The five-day drill, code-named Turning Point III, will feature also simulated rocket attacks on Israeli cities. Air-raid sirens are to sound across the country on Tuesday and for the first time all Israeli civilians will simultaneously be required to practice taking cover when the sirens go off.

According to the AP, despite the growing tensions with Iran, Israeli leaders have played down any connection between those tensions and the comprehensive exercise. On his part, Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Army Radio the drill "was not created as a response to the events of recent weeks and months."