Israel continues to prepare for a possible U.S. strike on Syria, deploying an Iron Dome missile-defense battery in Jerusalem, Israel Hayom reports.
For the first time, an Iron Dome anti-missile defense battery has been stationed in the Jerusalem area. Following IDF assessments, the Israel Air Force deployed the battery to cover the hills in and around Jerusalem.
An IDF spokesperson said, "The army will not elaborate on its air-defense assessments. Our defenses have spread out over different areas according to situational assessments."
Last week, the IDF had moved Iron Dome batteries to various locations in the north and dense center of the country, including the Tel Aviv area, in response to the possibility of reprisals for an American attack against Syria.
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said at a security conference Sunday that while Israel is in favor of an attack on Damascus, toppling the Assad regime is not in Israel’s best interest.
Ya’alon said it would be a mistake to attempt to force democratization through free elections in Syria.