Israel deploys anti-missile battery, US prepares for expected strike

The Israel army deployed a second Iron Dome anti-missile battery in northern Israel following reports of an expected western attack in Syria, officials said. The Israeli air force has also raised its Arrow 2 missile system's level of alertness, the Israeli broadcaster Arutz Sheva reported. The Arrow 2 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles. Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai said Israel is monitoring the situation. "As is required, the [army] is examining, following and watching the developments, hour by hour. The Home Front Command knows its job well and is prepared to give any required solution for the population," he said. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with the diplomacy and security Cabinet Wednesday to discuss preparations for an expected U.S. strike in Syria, Arutz Sheva reported. The Israeli military also said it is worried the national stockpile of gas masks will be depleted soon in light of warnings by Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime it would target Israel in retaliation if Syria is attacked by the United States. Officials at post offices and Home Front Command offices where gas masks are distributed were inundated with calls and had numerous people standing in line Wednesday to obtain the masks, Arutz Sheva reported.