U.S. President George W. Bush called Prime Minister Ariel Sharon about one hour before the American and British forces launched their attack on Afghan targets on Sunday. Sharon offered Bush Israel's continuing assistance in any way required, an offer that Bush reportedly accepted. The conversation was described as friendly, as the two sought to put behind them any lingering bad feelings in order to focus on the war against terror.

A spokesman for Sharon said Sunday evening that Secretary of State Colin Powell had updated the prime minister over the last three days with regard to the timing of the assault. "We wish the president and the American people success and we will extend whatever assistance we can," the spokesman said, emphasizing, however, that Israel was not part of the operation against Afghanistan.

"Bush told Sharon that this attack is only the first phase in the war against terror," said

"All of us ... are praying for the welfare of the American army and its allies." - Foreign Minister Shimon Peres

Ra'anan Gissin, an aide to Sharon. "All the necessary measures have been taken to ensure the protection and defense of the citizens of Israel against whatever kind of attack may ensue," Gissin said at a press conference. "Israel and the prime minister wish Godspeed and good luck to the forces that are now conducting this war against terrorism," he added.

Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres praised the U.S. attack on Afghanistan Sunday and expressed Israeli support for the campaign. "I think that all of us, first of all, are praying for the welfare of the American army and its allies,'' Peres said on Israel's Channel Two television. "It is a brave decision by the president, along with a very convincing and touching speech," Peres said, referring to Bush's televised address as the attack got under way. He said that America not only had a technological advantage but also moral superiority in the conflict.

By contrast, Reuters reported that senior Palestinian officials said that the Palestinian Authority, which condemned the September 11 attacks in the United States, would have no immediate comment on the start of what Washington calls its "war against terrorism."

According to media reports, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat issued a blanket order, forbidding members of the PA establishment to comment on the American-led attacks on Afghanistan. Earlier PA Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo told Palestine Radio, "We are studying the situation, and will talk with others at an [upcoming] meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers in Qatar."

Israelis stock up on gas masks in concern of attack
In the preceding weeks, with the likelihood of an allied attack increasing, thousands of Israelis visited gas mask distribution centers out of concern for a possible chemical attack in response to a U.S.-led offensive against terrorism. Asked whether Israel might become a target of attacks, Peres said: "At this stage I don't see a danger of this kind."

However, the IDF's Home Front Command, in charge of Israel's civil defense, held an emergency session to confirm strategies for dealing with a possible missile strike against Israel. Security experts also expressed concern that the American offensive might trigger a larger wave of terror attacks, both by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and by Hizbullah from Lebanon.

Israeli commentators have said the assessment would probably change if the United States targets Iraq in subsequent phases of the anti-terror offensive, and especially if Saddam Hussein feels that his regime or life is threatened.

"The defense establishment is in contact with the appropriate American authorities on the existing channels, is prepared for all scenarios, and is continuing to follow and assess the situation as it develops," read a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense.

Israelis should continue conducting their lives as normal, just as they were "one minute before the attack," said Minister without Portfolio Tzipi Livni (Likud), responsible for the government's information efforts. Referring to Israel's conflict with the Palestinians, Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau (Likud) said that the U.S. attack was proof that "military means" could be used to defeat terror. He called for increasing pressure on Arafat and initiated actions against the Palestinian Authority and the terrorists that it harbors.

Sharon decided not to send Strategic Planning Minister Dan Meridor (Center), National Security Council head Uzi Dayan and former Ambassador to the U.S. and Sharon adviser Zalman Shoval to Washington for high-level talks. Shoval said the meetings were postponed, because "all eyes need to be focused on the operation, and the Americans are now busy waging a war."

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