No schedule changes for Israeli schools

The Education Ministry announced Saturday that school throughout the country will operate as usual, despite the possibility of a US attack on neighboring Syria.

Ministry Director General Dalit Stauber advised students not to bring their gas masks and protection kits to their educational facilities.

In a statement issued by the ministry, Stauber added that Israeli schools are sufficiently prepared to operate even during a state of emergency.

With the US threatening to attack Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons, Israel fears Damascus may respond by firing missiles at Israel, a close American ally. Israeli officials have sought to distance themselves from Syria’s standoff with the West and believe the chances of a Syrian strike remain slim.

But the country has prepared itself nonetheless. It has called up reservists and deployed missile defense batteries in the northern part of the country. The military said Saturday the deployment has now extended to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.

Large crowds have also gathered at gas-mask distribution centers across the country, waiting in long lines for protection kits.

The Associated Press contributed to this report