In the wake of recent terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, which involved shooting by terrorists at Israeli vehicles, the IDF will aim to improve safe travel on these roads by setting up a new CCTV system across highways that are considered hazardous.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Monday that the IDF intends to install dozens of security cameras which will monitor highways in Judea and Samaria 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The cameras will supply live feeds to IDF command centers set up in the divisions deployed in the area. Should any threat be detected, the nearest force will be alerted.
According to the IDF, highways which are already monitored in this manner have proven to be less prone to terror attacks.
Recently, several terror attacks took place on Judea and Samaria highways. In the first one on August 31, terrorists murdered four Jewish citizens of Beit Haggai in a shooting attack at the Bani Naim junction just south of Hevron.
On September 1, a man and woman were wounded after terrorists shot at their vehicle as they were driving between the Rimonim Junction and the Jewish community of Kochav HaShachar in the Binyamin region of Samaria. The vehicle overturned, tumbled down an incline and landed in a ditch.
Hamas claimed responsibility for both attacks.
GOC Central Command is making efforts to secure area highways and plans to install some 100 security cameras at an estimated cost of NIS 500,000 (approximately $135,000).
A source at GOC Central Command told Yedioth Ahronoth: “We have mapped out the entire area and especially known friction points. Terrorists avert places with security cameras – they choose not to take the risk. This has deterrence value.”
Most of the cameras will be disguised and set up on high poles. Areas such as the Gush Etzion and Tapuach junctions will be among the first to be hooked up to the new system. The area’s main highway, Highway 60, which runs from south to north and has also been the scene of terror attacks, will be among those roads secured by cameras.
The IDF also plans to install cameras on roads where previous terror attacks have taken place, as well as in zones which are hard to observe, and near particularly hostile Arab villages.