DZWatch Exclusive: A scathing report has emerged in Israel, warning that the nation’s vital security and critical infrastructure remain dangerously exposed to missile and drone attacks. The State Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, has sharply criticized what he perceives as a systemic failure within the Israeli security establishment to adequately fortify these key assets.
According to the report, submitted to the Defense Ministry, the security apparatus has consistently neglected the urgent need to bolster defenses against missile threats, despite escalating dangers and repeated warnings issued in previous audit reports. The Comptroller’s office emphasized that these shortcomings persist even after the recent conflict, a period marked by intense rocket and drone barrages targeting Israeli territory.
The report further alleges a lack of clear directives and coordinated planning. Specifically, it claims that the Defense Ministry, the military, and the National Security Council have failed to definitively identify critical infrastructure requiring enhanced protection, nor have they devised comprehensive fortification plans, even after an estimated 26,000 rockets, projectiles, and drones were launched towards Israel during the conflict.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the report raises serious concerns about the oversight of institutions and laboratories involved in biological weapons research. Englman voiced fears that sensitive information from these facilities could potentially fall into the hands of terrorist groups. He highlighted the absence of a structured information-sharing mechanism among relevant agencies, despite existing security scenarios outlining the possibility of a biological terror attack against Israel. The report notes that the Ministry of Health has reportedly taken no steps to address this issue since 2008.
The State Comptroller’s office, responsible for monitoring the operations of state institutions, examined 43 organizations engaged in biological weapons research and concluded that the Health Ministry lacks adequate oversight of laboratory protocols and security measures concerning hazardous materials. The report also identified deficiencies in emergency preparedness plans across various laboratories. These findings underscore a critical need for immediate and comprehensive action to address these vulnerabilities.
