The IDF's Response to COVID-19

As of June 22, 2020, 3,462 soldiers are currently in quarantine. Some 313 IDF soldiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak, all of whom have or exhibit relatively mild symptoms. Anyone who is suspected of coming into contact with them has been placed in quarantine. 

The IDF continues to assist all soldiers, including lone soldiers, who have been impacted by the virus.

How the IDF is Combating the Spread of COVID-19:

The IDF has implemented the following essential policies to limit the spread of COVID-19 and maintain its operational capabilities. The latest guidelines will all be implemented from 8 am on June 23, 2020.

• All soldiers are prohibited from traveling abroad on personal or official purposes unless in exceptional circumstances with explicit approval.
• All soldiers returning from abroad are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine.
• Any soldier suspected of coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be placed in a 14-day home quarantine.
• All meetings in the IDF are limited to 10 people, gatherings in closed spaces are limited to 50 people, and gatherings in open spaces are limited to 100.
• All soldiers are expected to maintain a distance of at least 2 meters from one another.
• Soldiers are unable to take transportation from central bus stations on Sunday mornings until noon and on Thursday afternoons afternoon.
• All soldiers are required to wear masks in all civilian and military locations, including in gatherings and meetings.
• Soldiers may be subjected to working in shifts in an effort to limit potential contact.
• All ceremonies will be held in open spaces and will be limited to up to 150 participants; only immediate family will be able to attend any ceremony, where they will be separated from military personnel. 
• Soldiers are prohibited from traveling on trains until further notice. 
• All soldiers on an open base required to go into isolation will be isolating from home. 
• Civilians are not permitted to enter IDF bases except in the case of an essential worker who has explicit approval.
• Soldiers must be prepared to remain on base for an extended period of up to a month. 
• If a soldier’s family member is found to have COVID-19, the soldier will either remain on a closed base or enter an isolation hotel propped up by the IDF. 
• No more than 100 people may eat in the cafeteria at a time. There may be exceptions in large bases.
• Military police will be partaking in enhanced enforcement operations to ensure all soldiers are following the guidelines.  
• Training for regular soldiers will remain the same; training for reserves will occur in shifts.
• All soldiers serving on open bases will work in shifts to limit contact between one another.
• At the end of each work day and shift, each base will be thoroughly disinfected as instructed by the Operations Directorate.
• Those who are suspected of being sick will be evacuated according to the guidelines provided by the Medical Corps.

The IDF will continue to conduct regular situational assessments, update its protocol in line with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines, and limit the movement of military personnel as necessary. 

IDF Efforts to Help Civilians During COVID-19:

The IDF has introduced a series of protocols for soldiers who have been assigned to aid civilian populaces during this time: 

• Soldiers will minimize contact with civilians as much as possible and maintain a minimum distance of 2 meters from them.
• Soldiers from a unit where there is a suspected case of COVID-19 are prohibited from joining efforts to aid civilians. 
• Soldiers involved in any of these projects will have their health monitored daily.
  

The IDF Home Front Command initiated a series of projects to help provide answers and clarity during this difficult time and give appropriate assistance to civilians based on their needs. Among those services included a 24/7 call center operated together with Magen David Adom—Israel’s Emergency Medical Service. An emergency portal, operated in conjunction with the National Information Center in English, Hebrew, Russian, and Arabic, continues to operate.

The IDF is managing and facilitating the use of 6 hotels across the country to host COVID-19 patients who display only mild symptoms of the virus. Of these hotels, 4 are hosting people who have tested positive for the virus, and 2 are hosting quarantined civilians. As of June 22, 2020, the hotels are hosting approximately 843 COVID-19 patients and 715 quarantined civilians. 

In an effort to help Israeli Muslims prepare for the month of Ramadan, the IDF delivered food and supplies to Muslim families across the country. Arabic-speaking reservists have assisted in various Israeli Arab municipalities across the country. In addition to this, the IDF has also:

• Distributed over 185,000 meals.
• Distributed over 3,000 hygiene kits with essentials and information brochures in Arabic to Bedouin communities. 
• Opened a national emergency portal in Arabic to provide Israelis Arabs with easily accessible information.
• Began operating four mobile “drive-thru” COVID-19 testing facilities with Israel’s Emergency Medical Service in Israeli Arab and Bedouin communities. 

For Passover, over 2,000,000 packages of food and necessities were distributed across the country.

In the cities and municipalities of Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in Illit, and Elad, hotspots of the coronavirus, over 3,300,000 food and care packages have been distributed as needed.

IDF Technological Innovations to Combat COVID-19:

In coordination with the Ministry of Health, Magen David Adom and hospitals across the country, Unit 81, the IDF Technological Intelligence Unit, is using their technological expertise to help find innovative solutions to some of the greatest medical challenges posed by COVID-19:

• Adapting the BiPAP home ventilating device to be able to monitor air pressure and filter pollution from a room in order to ventilate COVID-19 patients.
• Manufacturing up to 1000 protective masks a day for military and civilian medical teams to counter the shortage of masks in Israel.
• Developing special shields and separate air conditioning systems in approximately 50 ambulances, to enable drivers to evacuate COVID-19 patients without endangering themselves.
• Creating an information management software for the Coronavirus Testing Lab to manage COVID-19 tests efficiently.

The IDF Weapons Manufacturing Center, which was once solely dedicated to the production of tank parts and body armor, has been converted to produce protective goggles for medical staff and spray guns to sanitize public spaces.

The IDF Naval Commando Unit, Shayetet 13, converted their operational assembly line of pressure cylinders (used during underwater missions) to develop better methods of compressing medical oxygen. In accordance with medical standards, the unit compressed gas instead of liquid oxygen to increase oxygen supplies for oxygen masks. The unit is also sharing this technology with foreign militaries so that they are also able to increase their oxygen supplies as needed. 

IDF Soldiers Help Elderly Amidst COVID-19 Crisis:

The IDF Home Front Command is assisting the national effort to help Israel’s elderly population and other at-risk groups during this challenging time. Currently, over 1000 troops from the Home Front Command are assisting in approximately 200 retirement homes across Israel, where they distribute food and medicine, as well as provide additional services such as emergency care. 

In addition, the Home Front Command is operating the National Assistance Center, working to coordinate the delivery and distribution of food packages together with local authorities to ensure that the elderly and other vulnerable populations are receiving necessities. 

The Center for Operational Equipment and Spare Parts for IDF Units in the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate, which was once in charge of handling and exchanging broken weaponry, converted into a food packaging center for the elderly temporarily. 

Although soldiers will continue to assist in geriatric facilities over the next coming weeks, the numbers of soldiers and aid will gradually decline as deemed necessary by the current COVID-19 situation.

Israelis and Palestinians Fight COVID-19 Together:

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, the IDF has helped transfer critical medical equipment to Palestinians in Judea and Samaria and Gaza. 

In addition to the thousands of COVID-19 test kits and PPE gear that have been transferred into the Palestinian territories, COGAT has also coordinated joint medical workshops and online tutorials for Palestinian and Israeli medical personnel.

The IDF has also begun processing COVID-19 tests of Gazans who are suspected to have contracted the virus.

Timeline of IDF Activity Since Beginning of COVID-19 Outbreak:

June 22, 2020:

The IDF has reintroduced some regulations in the military in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 within military bases. 

May 13, 2020:

Soldiers will be prohibited from taking transportation from central bus stations on Sundays until noon and on Thursdays after noon, to avoid large congregations and the potential spread of COVID-19.

May 7, 2020:

The IDF concludes its operations of an IDF transportation system as public transportation regains its normal schedule.

All soldiers who were quarantined with COVID-19 and receiving treatment in the Ashkelon recovery village were transported to the Arlington Hotel in Ashkelon and Carlton Hotel in Nahariya.

May 3, 2020:

An IDF program providing childcare and educational lessons to the children of medical staff has successfully been completed. During this program, 365 soldiers provided 50 educational frameworks for the children of 1,650 medical professionals.

As part of an effort to assist residents of the Palestinian Authority, a door-to-door public awareness campaign has begun in the local council of Hura, and food distribution efforts by the Bedouin Search and Rescue Brigade’s continued in the Home Front Command’s Southern Precinct.

April 21, 2020:

Approximately 670 IDF soldiers will continue to assist the Israeli Police in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem in enforcing traffic protocols during this difficult time.

The IDF 98th Division is gradually completing their two-week long mission in Bnei Brak, where they assisted and helped transport elderly civilians into hotels managed and facilitated by the IDF.

The Nahal Brigade is wrapping up its mission of providing relief to the city of Jerusalem. The Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade will continue to assist the civilian population as needed.

April 19, 2020:

The IDF Home Front Command has launched a public awareness campaign in Arabic to provide instructions the Israeli Muslim public on how to celebrate Ramadan while adhering to medical guidelines. During the month of Ramadan, the IDF Home Front Command will release approximately 20 videos on the holiday. In addition, as part of the campaign, the IDF has distributed 270,000 brochures and stickers with instructions and advice. Over the course of the week, the IDF is expected to distribute over 350,000 food packages to Muslim families.

April 16, 2020:

Classified Intelligence Unit 81 discovered a way to convert home-breathing devices (BiPaPs) into ventilators for COVID-19 patients. The unit is delivering hundreds of these ventilators to Sheba hospital and is producing thousands more.

April 13, 2020:

After receiving recommendations from the Deputy Chief of the General Staff Major General Eyal Zamir to slowly allow troops to return home after an extended period on base, the IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi announces that bases may begin sending soldiers home in a gradual, controlled manner and in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines.

Upon arrival, two civilian planes, carrying 144 passengers from Ethiopia and Belarus, were assimilated by the IDF and taken to two hotels facilitated and managed by the military used to quarantine civilians coming from abroad.

IDF troops from the Southern Command and Gaza Division begin cooperating with local authorities and assisting civilians living in the area by the Gaza Strip by delivering Passover supplies to civilians at-risk.

The Jerusalem District of the Home Front Command is tasked to aid the Ministry of Health and the Israeli Police in enforcing restrictions in the city of Jerusalem, in an effort to minimize the spread of the virus.

April 12, 2020:

The Israeli Navy Marine Commando Unit, Shayetet 13, has developed a solution to increase limited oxygen supplies for civilians. The unit has converted an operational production line into a medical oxygen compressing system that follows required health protocols. In addition, the unit is sharing its knowledge with foreign militaries in order for it to be used all over the world.

April 5, 2020:

The IDF 98th Division is working with the Home Front Command to assist civilians in Bnei Brak. In Bnei Brak, a zone with a high proportion of COVID-19 cases, soldiers are helping evacuate the elderly into hotels facilitated and managed by the IDF. In addition, the unit is providing additional assistance within Bnei Brak such as distributing food and medication, and providing welfare and logistical assistance. Over the course of the week, approximately 15,000 food packages—which contained dry goods, vegetables, fruits and toilet paper—were distributed.

The IDF Home Front Command is working with the Education and Youth Corps to assist medical workers throughout Israel by providing day-care services for their children. Across 45 hospitals in Israel, over 2,500 children are being taken care of by 350 soldiers 12 hours a day 5 times a week. 

April 2, 2020:

The IDF Home Front Command and Technological and Logistics Directorate are operating seven 24/7 COVID-19 testing drive-thrus throughout the country where  civilians can drive to the compounds and be tested for the virus from their cars. 

April 1, 2020:

IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi tests negative for COVID-19. Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi remains in isolation until the end of the week in accordance with restrictions.

March 31, 2020:

On March 22, 2020, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi attended a meeting with an officer who was diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier today. In accordance with the Ministry of Health’s instructions, Lieutenant General Aviv Kohavi has been placed in isolation although he reports being symptom-less and feeling well.

Approximately 600 IDF soldiers have started assisting the Israeli Police in implementing the Ministry of Health’s and the government’s restrictions in civilian areas. The IDF soldiers will be performing patrols, isolating and securing areas, and blocking routes to help minimize the spread of the virus.

March 29, 2020:

Approximately 200 reserve soldiers from the Military Unit for Hospital Assistance have been recruited to provide logistical and administrative assistance in 10 civilian hospitals throughout Israel. The reservists will partake in tasks such as evacuating hospital wards, adjusting wards to different needs, establishing new wards, and transporting medical equipment.

March 26, 2020:

The IDF begins operating an alternative transport system for military personnel. In order to maintain maximum operational capacity, 260 buses drive between bases across the country Sundays through Thursdays and follow strict guidelines to ensure the health of the soldiers aboard. A mobile app is available to help soldiers plan their route to base.

March 24, 2020:

The IDF has opened a medical lab to test military personnel for COVID-19. The lab, which is run by the IDF Medical Corps, is capable of processing hundreds of COVID-19 tests a day. 

Kinar Hotel in the Golan Heights has been converted into a quarantine and rehabilitation facility with the purpose of hosting 260 civilians who recently returned from Italy.

March 22, 2020:

The Israeli Air Force sends a delegation of 16 crew members on an IAF KC-707 to Germany to return approximately 30 combat troops from the Israeli Navy to Israel. In accordance with instructions from the Ministry of Health, the troops were all immediately placed in quarantine upon their arrival to Israel.

March 20, 2020:

40 combat troops from the Search and Rescue Brigade assisted local authorities in evacuating and sanitizing a hostel in the town of Gedera, where a staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The IDF Medical Corps has converted a recreational resort in Ashkelon into a medical facility to treat soldiers with mild cases of COVID-19. Patients are in contact with a doctor and nurses through a special app and receive a personalized medical kit to track their recovery.

March 18, 2020:

The second quarantine and rehabilitation facility, the Dan Hotel in Jerusalem, is opened to help civilians.

In an effort to dispel misinformation surrounding COVID-19, the Home Front Command, in conjunction with the National Information Center, opens an emergency portal for Israeli civilians in Hebrew, English, Russian, and Arabic.

March 17, 2020:

The IDF Home Front Command opens a joint information center with Magen David Adom—Israel’s Emergency Medical Service—to act as a source of information for civilians who may have questions about the virus and increase the response to those infected.

March 15, 2020:

Following concerns that the isolation of many Israeli civilians—which is necessary to combat the spread of COVID-19—could potentially result in a shortage of blood supplies in Israel, the IDF begins working with Magen David Adom to initiate blood donations from IDF soldiers. Since March 15, 2020, IDF soldiers have donated over 11,091 pints of blood.

 March 12, 2020:

The Home Front Command opens a 24/7 call center with Magen David Adom—Israel’s national emergency medical service—to answer any questions civilians and soldiers may have about the virus.

March 5, 2020:

The IDF is cooperating with Palestinian medical teams to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Palestinian territories by:

• Transferring COVID-19 test kits and disinfectant materials from Israel to the Palestinian territories.
• Closing the Erez border crossing (with Gaza) and Bethlehem—per instruction of the Palestinian Authority—except in humanitarian cases.
• Conducting joint medical training sessions with the Palestinian Authority.

The IDF remains committed to protecting the people of Israel and its soldiers from any and all threats, while ensuring its continuous and full operational capacity.