IDF to Help Enforce Coronavirus Lockdown

More details emerged on Sunday about the way in which IDF troops will be deployed to enforce Health Ministry regulations in the coronavirus crisis.

Armed troops will be sent out to support police on street patrols in enforcing a lockdown against the coronavirus epidemic, the military said.

About 500 troops will join police squads from Sunday to help “in patrolling, isolating and securing certain areas, blocking routes and additional similar assignments”, the military said in a statement.

Subsequently, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit ruled that decision requires a special cabinet approval. That approval was expected by Sunday night.

Police have already set up roadblocks to enforce curbs on movement and break up gatherings.

The troops will be armed and one battalion of soldiers will be deployed to each of Israel’s eight police districts, the military said.

Police have so far ticketed more than 2,039 people for violating Health Ministry guidelines. 1,416 citations were issued for unauthorized entry into public spaces, 283 for entering a prohibited area, and 114 for refusing to disperse from a public space, Arutz Sheva reported.