IDF tests air raid warning sirens, holds military drills in Tel Aviv, Haifa

The Israel Defense Forces was set to hold a test of the siren systems and emergency preparedness, as well as hold military exercises in Tel Aviv and Haifa on Monday.

The sirens were slated to sound in Tel Aviv’s city center at 10:05 a.m., in the south of the city and Jaffa at 10:15 a.m., in the east at 10:25 a.m., and in the Ever Hayarkon industrial zone at 10:35 a.m.

At 12:05 p.m. the sirens were also set to sound in Haifa’s Neve Sha’anan and Ramot Hacarmel neighborhoods.

Residents of the area were asked to enter bomb shelters when they hear the sirens and to ensure that their shelters are well-stocked for an emergency, the IDF said in a statement Sunday announcing the exercise.

In the case of an actual attack, the sirens were to sound twice, the military said.

After the Monday morning sirens, the IDF said troops would be conducting drills within the urban area of the cities. On Tuesday, another similar drill was to be held in Haifa.

An ariel view shows the city of Haifa, January 17, 2021. (Matanya Tausig/Flash90)

The army warned that residents may hear explosions, see smoke, and notice an increased movement of security forces in the cities.

On Wednesday, another rocket siren test will be conducted at Haifa’s oil refineries, at 9:05 a.m., and a “hazardous materials incident” alert will be activated in the nearby city of Tirat Carmel, at 10:05 a.m.

The drills come amid the IDF’s month-long “Chariots of Fire” exercise, involving nearly all units of the military.

A similar siren test was held in the Jerusalem areas in March.