Israel is undertaking exercises to test its capability in dealing with emergency situations.

The five-day manoeuvres are considered as the largest and most significant in the history of Israel since its war on Lebanon in July 2006, Israeli media sources said.

The manoeuvres covered varous government arms - the Israeli army, the local authority, health department and educational sector, putting into consideration lessons learnt from Israel's war with Lebanon in July 2006.

The exercises include bombings, missile strikes and operations using chemical and bacteriological weapons.

The Israeli cabinet is expected to hold a special session as part of the emergency exercises along with mini cabinet meetings for political and security affairs.

The Lebanese army and the UNIFIL have been put on alert in view of the exercises.

PHOTO CAPTION

Metal statues of Israeli soldiers are seen beyond a sign displaying the distances to Damascus and Israeli prime minister's office at an old Israeli military post on the Mount Bental in the Golan Heights on April 5, 2008.

Al-Jazeera