The Israeli Defence Minister Shaul said today he expected a US-led war on Iraq to start in mid-March and that Patriot missiles have been deployed in Tel Aviv.
Mr Mofaz told the first meeting of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's new cabinet that US preparations for the war were under way despite difficulties in securing permission from Turkey to deploy US troops there.
"We must expect an offensive as of mid-March," he said.
Public radio said the first US Patriot missile batteries, for shooting down incoming missiles, were deployed for the first time in the Tel Aviv area to back up Israel's own Arrow anti-missile system already in place.
Iraq launched 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War, killing two Israelis and injuring hundreds more.
AFP