Sirens blare in massive school emergency drill

Sirens blared throughout Israel Thursday morning, signaling the commencement of a drill in the country’s school system. The drill simulated the falling of missiles and rockets in and around the institutions.

The drill was one of the largest in recent years, with students from all around the country practicing their roles in the event of a rocket attack, the Education Ministry said.

The 2-hour-long exercise was a joint effort involving the Home Front Command, regional police forces, Magen David Adom emergency services, the Education Ministry, fire services, and local authorities.

“The exercise is designed to increase the education system’s readiness for missile attack scenarios, and improve effective behavior during and after an occurrence,” the Education Ministry said in a press release prior to the drill.

“A special emphasis will be placed… on moving students into the nearest protected area in the most effective manner. Also, emphasis will be placed on rocket-attack coping strategies for education teams — teachers, teachers assistants and other staff at educational institutions.”

Students within a 7-kilometer radius of the Gaza Strip weren’t included in the drill, due to the difference in emergency procedures there.

Gabe Fisher contributed to this report.