No sirens in western Negev in drill next week

The Defense Ministry announces that no sirens will sound in the western Negev near the Gaza border, during a home front countrywide drill next week.

The decision comes following a request from residents of the area and an assessment conducted in the presence of Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Ynet reports.

The request was made by Yesh Atid MK Haim Jelin, who previously served as head of the Eshkol Regional Council. Yelin explained that sirens would cause emotional harm to children of the area, who, he said, were already well-trained in responding to emergencies due to the security situation where they live.