Israeli army disables rocket-tracking system over Iran intelligence fears

“Israeli army disables rocket-tracking system over Iran intelligence fears Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Thu, 05/07/2026 - 12:07 Civil officials and emergency responders say the move leaves northern Israel 'operationally blind' and less protected Israeli security forces at the site of a Hezbollah missile strike on a house in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, near the border with Lebanon, on 1 April 2026 (AFP) Off The Israeli army Home Front Command is denying access to a security alarm system for fear of Iranian infiltration, causing distress among northern Israeli communities, Ynet reported on Thursday. The Israeli army has recently disabled the system that alerts first responders and local leaders in northern Israeli communities to potential missile strike impact zones. The move comes as hostilities along Israel’s northern border have continued, despite a three-week ceasefire, with the Israeli army carrying out daily strikes in southern Lebanon and Hezbollah responding. According to the report, the Israeli army fears that Iranian intelligence could infiltrate the system to gather information on precise missile impact locations, in order to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of future strikes. The reporting on missile impact sites in Israel has been under strict military censorship regulations, which have intensified since the Israel–Iran war in June 2025. International and local media are prohibited from publishing the exact locations of missile strikes, as Israel has restricted public information on potential hits to strategic and military infrastructure. Until recently, the system now restricted by the army had helped local authorities respond to attacks by dispatching first-responder teams to impact sites. Assaf Langleben, the head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, warned of "operational blindness" in northern Israel following the move. "It is absurd that Hezbollah knows where it is firing, so at least we should also know and be able to deal with the incidents and the responses we are required to provide," Langleben said. Can Hezbollah dominate the lower air battlefield against Israel? Read More » The mayor of the northern city of Kiryat Shmona warned that the system has helped his municipality to save lives. "Leaving us without [the system] means abandoning even more lives in an area where most residents already lack protection," Avichai Stern told Ynet, adding that "now we are also not being given the ability to go out, rescue and save them during fire". A civil security officer in Kiryat Shmona said that in recent times when alarms were heard in the city, "we operated like blind mice". "When I don’t have this tool, I don’t know where to run. We are ahead of another round, Hezbollah will again target our homes, and our residents will pay the price," the official said. A civil security officer from a local northern council also expressed concern over the Home Front Command’s decision. "No one talks to us, explains, or thinks they owe us answers. They simply cut us off," the officer told Ynet, adding that "in the army, instead of dealing with how to handle and prevent leaks, they chose the easiest solution and shut everyone out". "They irresponsibly chose to punish us," the officer said, referring to the army. Rising espionage The army spokesperson told Ynet that the system "contains sensitive information, and during the war cases were identified that required adjustments to procedures and a reduction of access permissions in order to prevent harm to information security". In recent years, Israel has faced a growing number of cases involving civilians – and, at times, even security personnel – accused of spying for Iran. According to Ma'ariv, since October 2023 more than 40 indictments have been filed against around 60 Israeli civilians for alleged espionage. Iranian intelligence is reportedly recruiting Israelis through financial incentives, and in return, the recruits document strategic locations and help organise attacks inside Israel. Haaretz revealed this week that Iranian intelligence has gained secret and sensitive information about researchers at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Israel's top-security think tank, which has affiliations with the army and Tel Aviv University. According to the report, over the past six years Iran has obtained personal information on the institute’s researchers, some of whom are former senior officials in Israel’s security establishment, as well as details about secret meetings between INSS personnel and the Israeli military. War on Iran Tel Aviv News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0

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