Limited IDF preparations remain in place ahead of potential US strike on Syria

The IDF is also monitoring terror organizations in Gaza and Sinai who may use use tensions as excuse to fire rockets into Israel.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
IDF trains on Golan Heights 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
IDF trains on Golan Heights 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A series of limited preparations taken by the IDF ahead of a potential US strike in Syria will remain in place in the coming days.
There has been no change in the security evaluations by army brass, which concluded last week that the chances of Syria or its allies lashing out at Israel in response to a US strike remain small.
Despite the assessment, the IDF deployed a range of air defenses around the country last week, and called up a few hundred reserve soldiers.
“We have a clear responsibility to prepare the army for all possibilities. We took a number of decisions to prepare ourselves for a scenario we hope will not materialize,” an army source said last week.
As part of the preparations, the IAF deployed a multi-layered air defense shield against enemy projectiles, consisting of Iron Dome, Arrow 2, and Patriot batteries.
A few hundred reservists were ordered to report for duty to the military branches tasked with monitoring Syria and ensuring basic readiness is in place.
Reservists arrived at the Israel Air Force, Military Intelligence, and the home Front Command.
On Friday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz inspected Artillery Corps units stationed on the Golan Heights near the Syrian border, and passed on updated directives. He also viewed a drill held by the Paratroopers Brigade. Gantz warned that any miscalculation by Syria would result in Israel exacting a “difficult and stinging price” from it.
The IDF’s overall state of readiness remains normal.
This is not expected to change unless the US begins operating in Syria.
The IDF is also monitoring terror organizations in Gaza and Sinai to ensure they do not use the regional tensions as an excuse to fire rockets into Israel. Current security assessments are that southern terror factions have not decided to do so.