IDF expands open-fire rules - new orders allow "shoot to kill" on explos

The IDF's Central Command expanded the open-fire guidelines during Operation Iron Shield in Judea and Samaria.

The change in the guidelines, according to a report in Haaretz, was initiated by the head of the Central Command, Avi Balut, and the commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf.

According to the report, Maj. Gen. Balut instructed that it is possible to shoot in order to kill anyone who "acting on the ground" - and that there is no need for a suspect arrest procedure in such a case. The report noted that the purpose of the directive was to prevent terrorists from placing IEDs on the roads.

In addition, Dolph assumed that the forces were allowed to fire at any vehicle coming from a combat zone in order to cause the driver to stop before he reached the checkpoint.

Meanwhile, the IDF yesterday launched a large-scale surprise test, "Lightning Surprise," under the direction of the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, to examine the readiness of the forces in the Central Command.

The exercise focuses on dealing with a variety of terror scenarios, including infiltration into communities, attacks on the roads, terrorist incidents under the cover of mass gatherings, and attacks in several sectors simultaneously.

The exercise, which is being conducted by the Operations Directorate in cooperation with the Central Command, was conducted in a number of locations throughout the country, including the Judea and Samaria region, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the Golan Heights. Its purpose is to examine the readiness of the forces in accordance with the lessons of the war and the current assessment of the situation.