The new Netz command system is now deployed more than 1,300 civilian standby units, connecting local defenders with military and police forces to improve coordination during sudden attacks.
By Hezy Laing
Building on the lessons of October 7
When Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, attack, communities along Israel’s Gaza border faced a nightmare: armed terrorists entering towns and kibbutzim while local defenders struggled to understand the scale of the assault and coordinate with arriving military forces.
The disaster exposed serious weaknesses in Israel’s ability to respond to a large-scale, fast-moving attack. Local security teams needed to know what was happening, where the threats were located and how to coordinate with the forces coming to their aid.
The IDF’s new Netz system is designed to address those challenges. Developed by the military’s Alumot technology unit, Netz connects civilian standby teams with IDF units, Israel Police and other security forces through a shared emergency management platform.
Connecting more than 1,300 defense teams
According to the IDF, Netz is now in use in more than 1,300 civilian standby units, known in Hebrew as kitot konenut, and is connected to tens of thousands of fighters.
These teams play an important role in protecting Israeli communities, particularly those close to hostile borders. Their members are often among the first armed responders available when an attack begins, before additional military forces can arrive.
Netz is intended to help these local defenders and regular security forces coordinate their actions more effectively. Rather than relying on disconnected channels of communication, participating forces can use the system to build a shared operational picture and manage an unfolding emergency.
The system can help speed up the mobilization of local teams and improve the flow of information between personnel on the ground and the wider security network.
How artificial intelligence fits in
Netz was developed using information infrastructure and artificial intelligence, reflecting the IDF’s growing effort to apply advanced technology to battlefield coordination.
The system is designed to help security personnel manage emergencies in real time, organize information and synchronize the activities of different forces. This is particularly important during a sudden infiltration, when several communities or locations may require attention at once.
The goal is to give commanders and local security coordinators a clearer picture of the situation, helping them make decisions and direct their personnel while events are still unfolding.
Netz began as an initiative by military reservists at the outbreak of the war. Development is now led by the Alumot unit within the IDF’s C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate, which develops information and artificial intelligence capabilities for operational use.
Technology is only part of the defense
Netz represents one element of the IDF’s broader effort to strengthen local defense following October 7. Better communication and a shared operational picture can help reduce confusion, but technology alone cannot guarantee that an attack will be stopped.
Effective defense still depends on trained personnel, reliable equipment, clear command responsibilities and the ability of regular forces to reach threatened communities quickly.
The significance of Netz lies in its effort to connect these elements. By linking local standby teams with the wider security establishment, the system is intended to help Israel respond to emergencies with greater coordination and a clearer understanding of what is happening on the ground.
