"These days are critical for Israel since Saddam Hussein is still in Iraq or Baghdad, and now has his back to the wall and could take a decision to strike Israel," said Mofaz, stressing the country would remain at high alert for Iraqi missile attacks.

US troops took up positions inside Baghdad on Monday, while British forces took almost complete control of the second city of Basra in the south.

Mofaz said he would review the state of alert in the coming days.

Israel has prepared for a possible Iraqi missile attack by issuing gas masks to the population and deploying Arrow and Patriot anti-missile batteries across the country.

In the first Gulf War in 1991, Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, leaving two people dead and damaging hundreds of buildings.

SPACE.WIRE