IDF adapts to anti-tank missile threat from Gaza
A tree planting project has been initiated with the purpose of obscuring the line of sight between the Gaza Strip and nearby Israeli communities

by Florit Shoihet
Israel Defense Forces
April 14, 2011

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/2197/idf-adapts-to-anti-tank-missile-threat-from-gaza

"The recent use of anti-tank fire was unusual. It's something we considered a threat, however, the attack on the school bus crossed every line," explains Commander of Territorial Defense in the Gaza Division, Lt. Col. Ilan Dayan, to IDF Website, about the anti-tank Kornet missile shot at a school bus last week. As a result of the attack, 16-year-old Daniel Wilpich was severely injured.

The Southern Command was aware of the threat that anti-tank missiles pose to the lives of civilians near the Gaza Strip and a project addressing the matter had already begun several months ago. This year, a project called "Forest Security" began, costing 7 million shekels, with the purpose of creating a boundary between the Gaza Strip and nearby Israeli communities by planting trees in hopes of creating an obstacle to the aiming of missiles and mortars at civilian targets.

"'Forest Security' is still at its start," said Lt. Col. Dayan. "It's intended exactly for this – the use of anti-tank missiles was not a surprise to us."

"We are planting trees that will grow and provide cover," he continued. "A person firing an anti-tank missile needs a line of sight to the target. If he doesn't have one, he has a serious problem."

It will take time, however, until the trees grow tall enough to obscure the line of sight from Gaza into Israeli communities near the border.

Increasing level of protection

Within the Territorial Defense in the Gaza Division, there is satisfaction with the level of protection in the communities near Gaza, which have coped for years with various threats.

"The level of protection has slowly increased, and the whole area is built well for emergency situations," says the territorial defense officer.

Until a few weeks ago, there was no warning for incoming mortar shells. Recently, however, a radar has come into use that can detect any threat and issue a red alert. Now residents have 15 seconds to seek cover from mortars, just like rockets.

"The day when 51 mortar shells were launched (less than a month ago), the system was used, with high quality," said Lt. Col. Dayan.

Besides issuing a warning, the system analyzes the source of the fire, significantly improving the IDF's ability to strike the launchers.

Close the iron windows in protected areas

The recent escalation also led to the refinement of procedures for staying in protected areas during rocket and mortar fire. There is now a requirement to close the iron windows in protected areas, to prevent shrapnel from harming those seeking shelter in the areas. The officer emphasized the requirement in the wake of the recent escalation of rocket fire, during which a Qassam rocket landed in the yard of a house and injured a family that was in a protected space because the iron window was not closed and shrapnel flew into the room.

It should be noted that, during the period of escalation, routine life rarely stopped. Nursery schools were open, area residents went to work and Purim parties took place as planned. The main areas affected during the escalation were agriculture near the border fence and tourism.

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