Israeli gas mask distribution expand opening hours

JERUSALEM - Israel's gas mask distribution centers expanded their opening hours Thursday as Israelis line up to get equipped against a possible Syrian attack resulted from a potential strike by its Western allies on the Arab country.

Israelis queue outside a gas mask distribution centre in the northern city of Haifa August 29, 2013. Israel ordered a small-scale mobilisation of reservists on Wednesday and strengthened its missile defences as precautions against possible Syrian attack should Western powers carry out threatened strikes on Syria. Many Israelis continued to form long lines at gas mask distribution centres on Thursday.[Photo/Agencies]

In an on-line statement, Israel's Home Front Command announced that the mask distribution centers will be open from 8 am to 7 pm due to the high demand in big cities.

Although defense officials predicted chances are slim that Israel would be attacked by Syrian missiles, as gas mask demand spirals throughout the week.

According to police spokesperson Mickey Rosenfeld, police officers were deployed in a distribution center in the northern city of Haifa, which is the only one catering to the northern Israeli area.

"It's crazy what's happening here... there are women, babies, police forces... it's one big mess," a person standing in line at the center told Israel Radio.

Long lines were also reported in Tel Aviv and in Jerusalem, as well as in Be'er Sheva in southern Israel.