Unusual Israeli naval, air force activity in Tel Aviv area

Thousands of bathers on central Israel's Tel Aviv and Herzliya beaches were startled Saturday morning by unusual military activity at 0700 – then again, at 1000 hours. First, Navy gunboats abandoned their posts opposite the coast where they are deployed against terrorist incursions, and suddenly sailed out to the open sea. Next, Israel Air Force fighter jets scrambled overhead, flying low over the coast. When concerned bathers tried to phone the police, they found their cell phones had no connection.