The speculation in the media and among the so-called experts is mounting as the general consensus points to the likelihood of Israel ordering a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities sometime in the fall of 2012, in October. Military analysts are filling the news magazine programs with their analysis and predictions and newspapers are signaling the IAF attack against Iran is only weeks away. The reasons given have a great deal to do with intelligence reports signaling Tehran is making significant advances towards building a nuclear bomb despite US intelligence reports to the contrary as well as the US presidential elections in November 2012.

Back in Israel the IDF Homefront Command is testing its SMS text messaging system this week, adding a measure to credibility to reports of a planned strike according to some. Others state this is not so and the IDF is simply continuing to test and train equipment and troops in line with preparedness policies in all areas of warfare and system notification, which is part of the Homefront Command’s responsibilities.

Testing begins on Sunday, 24 Menachem Av 5772, and will continue through Thursday. Messages will be sent out to approximately half of the cellular telephones in Israel in a number of languages, including Hebrew, English, Arabic and Russian in an effort to test the effectiveness of the alert notification system that will be used in the event of a true emergency chas v’sholom.

Testing will be conducted in Ramle on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday will include Haifa, the Carmel region, Tzfas, Yahud, Kfar Shaba, Netanya, Tel Aviv, Nahariya, Yaffa, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Sderot and Netivot.

Wednesday will include Kiryat Shmona, Metula, Yesud HaMa’aleh, Rishon L’Tzion, Rechovot, Gadera, Yavne, Mazkeret Batya, Sdei Boker, Mitzpei Ramon, Dimona and Yerucham.

Thursday will include Afula, Hadera, Upper Nazareth, Zichron Yaakov, Yerushalayim, Modi’in, Mevaseret Tzion, Beit Shemesh, Ofakim, Netivot, Arad and Ein Gedi in addition to nationwide testing between 10:00-12:00.

The test message will read “IDF Homefront Command mobile alert system test” and it will contain a unique message number.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)