Western Negev Authorities Form Regional Security Forum Amid Gaza Border Concerns
Western Negev authorities formed a regional security forum to address coordination gaps, emergency preparedness, and concerns over the downsizing of local security squads.
Three years after the October 7 massacre, most evacuated communities have returned to their homes, and the local authorities of the Western Negev are establishing their first regional security and emergency forum.
The move comes amid concerns over the downsizing of local security squads in the Gaza envelope, alongside rising security threats and kidnapping scenarios near the Yellow Line. It renews questions regarding municipal preparedness and the division of responsibility among agencies tasked with protecting residents during emergencies.
The forum's inaugural meeting, initiated by the Western Negev Cluster of Municipalities, took place on September 23 in the Sdot Negev Regional Council. Attendees included municipal representatives, Ministry of Interior Emergency Bureau Head Hezi Raz, and representatives from Magen David Adom and Fire and Rescue Services.
The forum aims to foster permanent inter-municipal cooperation, enabling authorities to share data on available forces and equipment, pool resources, and build a unified regional situational picture during security incidents.
Gaps Identified at the First Meeting
However, security managers pointed out significant coordination gaps during the initial discussion itself. Issues included unclear division of authorities among the IDF, the Home Front Command, and the police, alongside communication hurdles between municipal dispatch centers and security forces, and a lack of integration between geographic information systems.
"True lessons learned must also reach the daily routine of those responsible for residents' security on the ground. Three years after October 7, municipal security managers still face gaps in communication, intelligence, and the division of responsibility among agencies," said Bella Alexandrov, CEO of the Western Negev Cluster.
Following the discussion, a task force was established to examine how to integrate data from various systems into a single situational picture. Simultaneously, the cluster is advancing a regional mapping of emergency equipment, resources, and cameras while exploring shared infrastructure options.
Pilot Program and Future Steps
A pilot project to pool emergency dispatch resources between Sdot Negev and Hof Ashkelon is currently in the infrastructure data-collection phase. Meanwhile, Western Negev mayors are working to promote a joint discussion with the Home Front Command and the police to clearly define areas of responsibility in every settlement during emergencies.
Key issues local authorities seek to regulate include incident command, decision-making authority, real-time information flow, and ensuring clear, continuous responses for mayors, security officers, and residents.
"In an emergency, a municipal security manager needs to know who their counterpart is, what forces are available, and what is happening beyond municipal borders. The forum aims to build this familiarity and cooperation in advance," added Asi Almasi, chairman of the security forum.
