Tel Aviv  – Sirens were scheduled to wail throughout Israel Tuesday morning and the country’s more than 7 million citizens ordered to enter shelters and pre-prepared “safe places,” as part of a major civil defence exercise.

The unusual exercise is meant to prepare for a scenario under which Israel would be attacked by hundreds of long- and short-range missiles.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has denied a link to Iran, which has vowed to respond if Israel were to attack its nuclear facilities.

He said the exercise, codenamed “Turning Point 3,” is necessary because Israel should be prepared for any scenario, including one in which it would be dragged into a war with multiple fronts.

Israelis have been informed how to conduct themselves during the exercise via television infomercials for days. They have been told that if entering a shelter or “protected room” were to cause “major disruption” to their day, this is not obligatory. In all other cases, however, they are advised to participate in the exercise.

The sirens were scheduled to go off at 11 am (0800 GMT). (dpa)