The source told reporters here that only if there is information that Iraq is going to attack Israel, will the public be instructed to take defensive measures.

"Until then, every effort will be made to keep life routine and the economy working as normal," he said.

During a visit to a navy base in Haifa on Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said it appears a US-led war with Iraqis unavoidable.

Many Israelis here also worried that a war on Iraq is likely to break out in the middle of this month.

Mofaz, however, said there is no reason for Israeli citizens to be concerned while necessary preparations for a conflict with Iraq are underway.

All preparations for such an eventuality were going ahead as planned in Israel and "I don't see any need for the Israeli public to be unduly concerned or for any changes to be made in daily routine," he stressed.

According to a defense establishment source, Israel foresees only sporadic missile launches from Iraq in case of Iraqi war, but there is fear that Iraq might try to send terrorists equipped with biological or chemical weapons to Israel.

Israeli intelligence has reportedly gathered much information about efforts by terror groups to conduct a "mega-attack" during an Iraq war.

(Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2003)