Panic In Israel Over A Shortage Of Gas Masks

Israelis waiting for gas masks in Haifa on Thursday, August 29. Photo by Rami Chelouche

Scramble For Gas Masks As Israelis Prepare For Possible Syrian Attack -- The Guardian

Fights break out in queues for masks, soldiers' leave cancelled and schools ordered to conduct emergency drills

Rising alarm over the potential for the Syrian crisis to spill over into Israel has fuelled a mass scramble for gas masks, with thefts and fistfights breaking out in some of the long queues at distribution centres across the country.

Despite efforts by political and military leaders to reassure the public that the chances of retaliation by the Damascus regime against Israel are slight, thousands of people among the 40% of the population still lacking protection kits have flocked to depots over the past few days. A telephone helpline collapsed under the weight of inquiries.

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More News On Panic In Israel Over A Shortage Of Gas Masks

Israelis hit out over gas mask shortage -- The Telegraph
Brawls erupt as nervous Israelis rush to find gas masks -- Global Post
Israelis Rush for Masks Fearing Retaliation for Syria Strike -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Israelis Jostle Jostle for Gas Masks -- Wall Street Journal
In northern Israel, residents flock to lone gas mask distribution center -- Haaretz
Long lines in Israel: Syria tensions spur rush for gas masks -- Christian Science Monitor
Israelis Line Up for Gas Masks as U.S. Ponders Syria Missile Strikes -- Time