IDF Unveils New System to Alert against Large-Scale Attack

The system is automatic, doesn’t require installing an app and doesn’t depend on GPS, which has seen disruptions during the war.

By Shula Rosen

The IDF announced an updated and tested system that sends notifications of missile attacks based on location.

IDF Home Front Command unveiled a system using Cell Broadcast that sends alert messages to many phones within a certain area, and is a technology that has been tested in other places with successful results.

The system is automatic, doesn’t require installing an app and doesn’t depend on GPS, which has seen disruptions during the war.

Instead the system detects the positioning of cellular towers.

Home Front Command says the system will “enable the receipt of a message in large-scale emergency events, such as rocket fire on Israel.”

However, they announced that it isn’t intended as a replacement for an app or actual sirens but is designed for “surprise large-scale emergencies.”

Although sirens are an method of warning people of an impending attack, those who are inside, listening to loud music, sleeping or hard of hearing may not hear the siren.

The traditional app is generally effective, but may only provide alerts in places the IDF predicts the attacks may happen.

In addition, GPS, which powers popular apps like Waze, Moovit and GoogleMaps, isn’t always effective in military scenarios.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari emphasized that despite threats from Iran, the Home Front Guidelines have not been changed.

He said, “We are working to provide an adequate warning to prepare for any threat. But until we say otherwise, there are no changes to the Home Front Command guidelines. We will update only when required.”

Hagari added, the IDF is “at a high level of readiness, in defense in the air, at sea, and on the ground. We are readying for any sudden threat.”

However, he said the public should still be vigilant, since Israel’s security is not “heremetic.”