The cabinet on Monday approved special measures ordering the military to assist the Israel Police to enforce the various restrictions imposed on public gatherings as part of the war on the coronavirus.
According to an official privy to the cabinet meeting, the IDF has been ordered to embed some 700 soldiers with the police. The soldiers will be deployed nationwide and if need be, thousands of others could be called up if the lockdown tightens.
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According to a statement from the Public Security Ministry, given the inherent sensitivity of the issue, only commanders and soldiers serving in Judea and Samaria will be armed. The troops will conduct patrols alongside police officers, who will run the operation.
According to the IDF, eight battalions have been designated for this purpose, with the possibility of doubling that if necessary.
