Israel ends gas mask distribution after security assessment show low odds of chemical attack
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel has decided to stop issuing gas masks to the public after concluding the threat of chemical attack is low.
Just a few months ago, Israelis were rushing to distribution centers after chemical weapons were fired at rebel-held areas in neighboring Syria. Facing the threat of a U.S. attack, Syria subsequently agreed to dismantle its chemical stockpiles. The first load of weapons was taken out of Syria this month.
In a statement Sunday, Israel's Security Cabinet said gas mask distribution will end next month. It said "there has been a significant decline in the threat of chemical weapons being fired at Israel."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel began issuing civilians with gas masks around the time of the 1991 Gulf War, when Iraq fired dozens of Scud missiles at Israel. None carried chemical warheads.