One day after Islamic state operatives carried out a second attack in Israel in less than a week, security officials say they still do not have information connecting the attacks.
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Defense officials pointed to the professional work of the Beersheba and Hadera terrorists as circumstantial evidence that these were not lone-wolf attacks. One official with knowledge of the incidents told Israel Hayom, "The terrifying abilities they demonstrated and the continuity of the events could indicate there is a guiding hand behind them."
Given the intelligence fog, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has taken a hard-line approach. In a security meeting held Monday and attended by Defense Minister Benny Gantz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai, and the deputy attorney general, the premier emphasized the need to adapt to the new situation.
On Tuesday, IDF officials decided on a series of additional steps to ensure the personal security of its soldiers.
According to the new guidelines, commanders are to ensure every soldier is practiced in how to deal with potential threats to their security and to respond and assist when necessary in accordance to their skillset. Officials will meet again to discuss the possibility of allowing those serving in the IDF to return home with their weapons.
Likewise, unit commanders are to make certain soldiers who reside in communities with limited access to public transportation reach their destination. In addition, officials will meet to discuss measures to secure shuttle and bus stations. The IDF will also secure hitchhiking stops near military bases where a large number of soldiers are stationed.
Additionally, the commanding officer of the IDF's GOC Army Headquarters Tamir Yedai has banned soldiers from navigating on their own as well as soldiers from training near Arab villages until further notice.
Among the orders Bennett issued to the defense system at Monday's meeting were the continued operational effort by the legal, financial, intelligence, and digital tools at Israel's disposal, including both covert and overt investigations to prevent similar incidents from taking place and to ensure all those who assisted in carrying out the attacks are punished to the full extent of the law.
Bennett also ordered the immediate reinforcement of Israel's security forces, in particular in high-friction areas, until at least May 4th, when Israel is set to celebrate its Independence Day. He further ordered the expansion of the policy for the carrying of weapons by IDF soldiers and reservists, as well as the use of administrative detention and restraining orders on terrorist operatives when applicable.
He ordered the security establishment to monitor incitement as well as the activities of potential attackers online.
Six Border Police reserve battalions will also be called up for duty as officials weigh the possibility of enlisting some 500 volunteer police officers with appropriate backgrounds for reserve duty in an effort to "flood" the streets with police forces to bolster Israelis' sense of security and respond swiftly to emergency situations.
In addition, another 10 reserve battalions are ready to be enlisted to contend with large-scale riots and other security incidents should they break out.
Bennett called on the public to take steps to protect themselves and encouraged all those authorized to carry a weapon to do so.
Given the defense establishment's failure to track the three terrorists behind the recent attacks despite knowledge of their support for the Islamic State, Bennett has also asked the Shin Bet security agency to renew its tracking and probing of all Israeli citizens suspected or convicted of connections to or support for the Islamic State both past and present.
In a statement following the attacks, Samir Sobhi Mahamed, the mayor of the Arab-majority city of Umm al-Fahm where the terrorists resided, said: "The Umm al-Fahm Municipality is in a deep state of shock, condemns the horrible act, and condemns any violent action as such. The municipality sends its condolences to the families of the victims in Hadera and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded."
He said, "We must not brush what happened aside, and we call on the police to do its job. The Islamic State organization is against Muslims, Christians, and Jews, and that is why it must be extricated from this world."
Many in the city, which has experienced dozens of murders over the last decade, hope the attack will draw attention to the incredible ease of obtaining lethal weapons. "We've suffered for years from absolute weapon anarchy, protection fees, and criminality," one resident told Israel Hayom. "Maybe this incident will help put an emphasis on illegal weapons. I hope the police and the Shin Bet will act to collect all of the weapons in Arab society. The danger is to both Arabs and Jews alike."
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