Operation Damascus: When will Tomahawk missiles be launched?

The U.S. attack on Syria is moving closer and will apparently start with the completion of the international coalition.

Tools for this purpose will be four U.S. warships and a British submarine, which are already in the eastern Mediterranean and ready for an order.

According to NBC network, the military operation will be launched "on Thursday at the earliest." The report, which relies on officials in Washington, said that the attack will last three days and will include airstrikes limited in scope, designed to send a deterrent message to Bashar Assad, and not necessarily strike a fatal blow to his army.

A U.S. attack on Syria apparently will not start before next Sunday because apparently U.S. President Barack Obama, will not order a U.S. attack as long as UN inspectors stay in the country.

More:
• U.S. and UK: prepared for military attack Syria
• Military action? Obama ordered to publish report justifying assault
• Operation Damascus? • 'Guardian' reports: British fighter aircraft landed at base in Cyprus

According to the Washington Post, "The attack may last two days, or even just one day, and will be limited to bombing of military installations. The U.S. wants a short and focused attack that would deter Assad from further use of chemical weapons.

The attack will probably include the launching of cruise missiles (probably Tomahawk missiles) at several targets in Syria.

Anti-aircraft batteries, army headquarters and government centers will be attacked. Other destinations may be chemical weapons stockpiles of the regime, but only after ensuring that there is no danger of the attack, and that it will not cause the dispersal of the weapons.

Palaces used by Assad may also be bombed, but there are no plans to eliminate the Syrian president.

Preparations in Israel

Israel is preparing meanwhile: The State of Israel is prepared for any scenario. We are not part of the civil war in Syria, but if we detect any attempt to harm us - we will respond and react strongly," said today (Tuesday) Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, at the end of a security consultation in his bureau in Tel Aviv.

The meeting was also attended by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and other senior officials in the defense establishment.

The sounds of war have brought about a surge in demand for gas masks and HFC is preparing to provide the great demand.

Some communities in the north, concerned about the sounds of war, have opened shelters, issued an emergency procedure with the list of points of distribution of kits and put council employees into an emergency alert.

Chief of Staff: IDF is ready

Today the annual memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the Givati Brigade was held at the Yoav Fortress. "The Middle East passes historic upheaval in recent years which draws armed and dangerous terrorist groups who pose us with many challenges," said Defense Minister Ya'alon at the ceremony. "But it seems that there is no more terrible expression of dangerous extremism surrounding us on the north and south than the horror images that were broadcast last week from Syria, where innocent civilians are slaughtered without interference by the monstrous regime of Bashar al-Assad," he added.

Referring to the use of chemical weapons in Syria he said that "I am confident that every human being was shocked by scenes of children dead in excruciating pain after Assad's forces used, not for the first time, chemical weapons to kill. It seems that the civilized world realized today what forces it faces. This is an axis of evil which begins in Tehran, passing through Damascus and is based in Beirut, whose essence is crimes against humanity."

The defense minister also addressed the threats facing the State of Israel. "We are aware of the events developing before our eyes in the Middle East these days, and hear the voices of threat directed in the direction of the State of Israel, although we are not involved in the bloody conflict in Syria and other conflicts in the Middle East", said Yaalon. "In face of these threats, we are acting responsibly and out of consideration, but also say in a clear and firm voice- whoever dares to test us will encounter the IDF's strength," he concluded.

Chief of Staff Benny Gantz addressed the IDF's strength and its commitment to the security of Israeli citizens. "Today, more than ever, our wall stands entrenched and resistant as a steel wall. The world nations have a required moral and ethical responsibility against hideous crimes committed against our innocent neighbors, just the other side of the border," Lt. Gen. Gantz stressed. "We will not ask for or encourage winds of war within us or near us, but the uncompromising duty to protect the State of Israel, facing the circle of threats near us, will be exercised by the IDF whenever required," stated Chief of Staff. "Those seeking to harm us will meet us sharper and more aggressive than ever. Our enemies should know that we are determined and ready to defend our citizens in any action it needed, against any threat and each scenario which will come our way," he added.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!