Israel to tighten security at public spaces

Israel is to beef up security at public spaces in the wake of a deadly June attack in Tel Aviv and last month's seafront killings in Nice, an official said Wednesday.

Shoppings malls, railway and bus stations, and public buildings are already closely guarded in Israel, and the new measures will apply to open spaces currently lacking a security cordon, a spokesman for internal security minister Gilad Erdan told AFP.

Recommendations by a committee of experts include deployment of armed guards and patrols, searches at entry points and installation of surveillance cameras.

The aim "is to create multiple obstacles to prevent a terrorist carrying out an attack similar to the one in Nice," the spokesman said.

"The difference between an attack where there are no victims and an attack in which there are many depends on the reaction time of civilians and armed guards, so we must ensure that in busy open spaces there is someone who can respond as quickly as possible," he said.

Likely sites for the upgrade include the busy Tel Aviv harbour promenade, Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda produce market and a complex of hotels on the Dead Sea shore where a pilot programme will be launched.

Two Palestinians shot dead four people in Tel Aviv's Sarona leisure district on June 9, prompting Israeli officials to review existing security regulations.

The July 14 French Riviera attack, where the driver of a truck crashed into a festive crowd killing 85 people, was also taken into consideration, the spokesman said.

Source: AFP