Sinai border
Photo: Yoav Zitun
IDF boosts deployment on southern border
Intelligence indicating imminent terror threat prompts military to deploy advanced weapons system on Sinai border
Recent tensions in the southern sector and especially defense establishment intelligence indicating an imminent threat of terror from Sinai has prompted the IDF to bolster deployment along the southern border.
As the construction of the Israel- Egypt border fence continues, the IDF's Gaza Division has deployed military Hummers at strategic point along the border fence.
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The Hummers are armed with a special weapons system, the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems-made RCWS, or Remote Controlled Weapon Stations, nicknamed "Katlanit" ("Lethal").
The system, which is remotely operated thus protecting soldiers' lives, is usually reserved for cases of clear and present danger on the borders.
The 'Katlanit' (Photo: Moti Kimchi)
For the first time, the IDF has also ordered the deployment of Namer ("Leopard") APCs – advanced armored personnel carrier based on the Merkava tank's chassis.
Military forces in the southern sector have been on high alert and have thwarted several attempts by terror groups to launch attacks from Sinai.
On Wednesday, Sinai-based terrorists fired several rockets at Eilat. One Grad rocket hit a residential construction site, causing no harm.
The Counter Terrorism Bureau exacerbated its travel advisory to Sinai, warning that Israelis traveling to the peninsula may be in serious danger.
As part of the defense establishment's Passover deployment a closure has been imposed on the West Bank starting at midnight Friday and lasting throughout Passover weekend; with exceptions for medical emergencies and humanitarian cases.
The IDF said further security measures throughout the holiday are pending security assessments.
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