Israel to install cameras along West Bank highways

The state is reportedly planning to install surveillance cameras on roads throughout the West Bank in an effort to curb stone-throwing and firebombing attacks.

As part of a plan approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and funded by the Defense Ministry, over 100 cameras will be affixed along highways in the West Bank in two stages, and monitored 24 hours a day, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported on Tuesday.

In the first stage, dozens of cameras will be installed at junctions over the next three to six months. The second stage, which has not yet been budgeted, will include over 100 more cameras at various points, the report said.

The footage will be transmitted to army intelligence units, which will be able to report suspicious activity, stabbings, riots, stone and firebomb attacks to security services on the ground without delay.

The cost of the project was assessed at some NIS 250 million ($63 million) overall.

Some stretches of highway in the West Bank have seen over 200 attacks since the latest uptick in violence.

The tensions erupted in mid-September over what the Palestinians allege were Israeli intentions to alter the status quo at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which is under Jordanian administrative control and where non-Muslims may visit but not pray. Israel denies the claims and calls them incitement to violence.

In seven weeks, 12 Israelis have been killed, mostly in stabbing attacks, while 70 Palestinians have died by Israeli fire, including 44 who Israel says were involved in attacks or attempted attacks. The others were killed in violent clashes with security forces throughout the West Bank.

Four of the 12 Israeli victims — Naama and Eitam Henkin, Binyamin Yacobovitch, and Avraham Asher Hasno — were killed on West Bank roads.

AP contributed to this report.