The Israel Defense Forces has released a mobile application to warn Israelis of local security threats. It was launched this month on Android and Apple devices.
Called Home Front Command, the application aims to improve on several civilian-developed counterparts that alert Israelis to the warning sirens that blare ahead of incoming missiles. Those applications gained popularity during the 2014 war in Gaza, but alert users to every siren across the country.
The IDF’s alternative will track users based on their GPS location and alert them only to threats in their immediate area. It will cover a range of emergencies, from earthquakes to terror attacks to incoming rockets, and will provide instructions on how to respond. It is available in Hebrew, English, Arabic and Russian, though it cannot be downloaded outside Israel. — jta