An unannounced police drill in Israel (is this common? I don't know)

[Raineyrocks]

Surprise drill causes huge traffic jams

Unannounced security forces' exercise creates huge traffic jams across nation; police set up roadblocks on major roads, including Tel Aviv-Jerusalem Highway. Eyewitness: I've never seen anything like it


An unannounced police drill involving other security forces caused huge traffic jams nationwide Thursday afternoon.

As part of the exercise, authorities blocked various roads in central Israel while police forces deployed nationwide en masse. The drill involves all of Israel's emergency and rescue forces, including the IDF, Shin Bet, Fire department, Magen David Adom, and Israel Prison Service.

The drill was kept secret until Thursday morning, and was expanded by afternoon, prompting especially huge traffic jams in Tel Aviv. Local resident Ofer told Ynet he never saw such unusual sight.
"I've been living here for 38 years and I've never seen anything like it," he said. "Tel Aviv is like a pedestrian mall; people are walking on the road like they do in Yom Kippur. Motorists are coming out of their cars.

[link http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7...876648,00.html

Syria denies it gave Hezbollah Scud missiles

By ALBERT AJI (AP) – 1 hour ago

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria warned Thursday that Israel was paving the way for new military action in the region with its allegation that Damascus is providing Scud missiles to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israeli defense officials have said they believe Hezbollah has Scud missiles capable of hitting all of Israel and earlier this week, Israeli President Shimon Peres accused Damascus of providing the weapons.

Syria strongly denied the charge, saying it "believes that Israel aims through these claims to further strain the atmosphere in the region," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry. It added that Israel could be setting the stage for a possible "Israeli aggression in order to run away from the requirements of a just and comprehensive peace."

[Lloyd Danforth]

Probably running a test for the US government.