Israel Will Install An Autoarm System That Fails To Prevent Attacks October 7 Hamas In The West Bank

Israeli Gate in Mas'ha, West Bank, (Wikimedia Commons/Justin McIntosh)

JAKARTA - Israeli Army Radio on Sunday reported that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing to deploy automatic weapons systems, which are installed in reconnaissance towers and operated remotely, to prevent infiltration in the occupied West Bank for the first time.

The system, called "Roeh-Yoreh" (Melihat-Menembak), is a sophisticated weaponry developed by the company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

Quoted from WAFA December 15, the system consists of a tower with advanced reconnaissance equipment and a remote-controlled deadly firing system designed to target and fire individuals. The system is controlled from the command center and is intended to limit movement in the region.

The system will be operated by the West Bank's 636 Reconnaissance Unit, marking further steps in Israel's military strategy to control the movement of Palestinians in the region through advanced surveillance and automated response technology.

Since its introduction into Israel's military arsenal in 2008, the system has been used exclusively in the Gaza Strip, spread along the security fence to target Palestinians approaching the border.

It said the new deployment in the West Bank marked a significant expansion of the use of the system.

This move is likely to raise concerns about its impact on the tense situation in the West Bank.

Interestingly, this system was largely failed and paralyzed during the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation carried out by the Palestinian militant group led by Hamas on October 7, 2023, as quoted by Al Mayadeen.

The system, designed to target "armed individuals approaching the dividing fence", is operated by female soldiers in the observation unit. No soldiers were stationed beside the weapon.

The decision to use the system in the West Bank was driven by concerns over "threats posed by potential attacks on settlements," according to Israeli Army Radio.