IDF sparks panic in Tel Aviv with unannounced rocket siren

The Israeli military sparked a minor panic in central Tel Aviv on Sunday when it triggered rocket alert sirens at its Kirya headquarters complex as part of an unannounced exercise.

Police belatedly stressed that the sirens were part of a drill, with the message only going out, however, after numerous phone calls from concerned residents were received by dispatchers.

The army said the exercise would continue into the late evening and people in the area should expect to see increased troop movements for the duration.

The IDF often carries out training exercises in populated areas, especially drills involving defending civilians in the case of attack against Israel’s population centers.

But the exercises are usually announced ahead of time in the media to prevent panic.