Israel deploys missile defences in south of country

Israel has deployed air defences in the south of the country in what is seen as a precaution.

Batteries of Patriot missiles, designed to intercept ballistic missiles and the Iron Dome defence system for short-range missiles were seen Saturday on the road to the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat.

According to Israeli media reports, the defences were set up on the run up to the first anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the influential head of Iran's Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guard's elite unit that oversees Iran's outside proxies.

Soleimani's anniversary passed on January 2, but the defences remain deployed, apparently for fears of regional tension before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.

(IMAGE CREDITS:AP)