Israel: Iran threat Causes GPS to be Deactivated and IDF Leave to be Cancelled

GPS signals are currently being disrupted in Israel as a precautionary measure to counter potential threats from missiles and drones, amid escalating tensions with Iran.

Iran has expressed its determination to retaliate following an attack on its consulate building in Syria on Monday. The strike, which resulted in the death of 13 individuals, including a high-ranking general, is widely believed to have been carried out by Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have made the decision to suspend all soldier leave for those serving in combat units.

It comes the day after reservists were called up to strengthen air defense units.

Israeli authorities are anticipating a potential Iranian response that could occur on Friday, coinciding with Quds Day – also known as Jerusalem Day – during the final Friday of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.

It is a day that often sees the organization of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel rallies, especially in Iran.

Reports emerged on Thursday of disruptions to GPS systems in central parts of Israel. These disruptions were implemented as a defensive measure to interfere with weapons that rely on GPS for location setting.

Reports have emerged of Israeli citizens facing difficulties in accessing location-based app services in major cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, despite being far away from active combat zones.

Reports indicate that there has been a significant disruption to location signals across Israel, as observed on the monitoring website GPSJAM.

According to a BBC producer, her GPS mistakenly placed her in Cairo instead of Jerusalem, and other users have also reported similar experiences on social media.

The IDF spokesman, Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, has confirmed that the country is employing GPS blocking, also known as “spoofing”.

According to the Times of Israel, individuals in Israel are being encouraged to manually update their location on the alert app to ensure its accuracy, given the interference with GPS signals.

GPS functionality in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, has been affected due to ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah.

In a separate development, the IDF has advised individuals against engaging in panic-buying. In a recent statement, Rear Adm Hagari emphasized that there is no need for individuals to purchase generators, stock up on food, or withdraw money from ATMs.

“Just like we’ve always done, we’ll promptly provide updates whenever there are official and organized changes.”

Israel has remained silent regarding the strike on a building within Iran’s diplomatic compound in Damascus, the capital of Syria. However, the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has accused Israel of being responsible.

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has stated that there will be a response to the strike, but it remains uncertain what actions Iran might choose to take.

Thirteen individuals tragically lost their lives in the strike, including seven officers from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. This devastating event claimed the lives of senior general Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy.

Zahedi is a prominent Iranian figure who is believed to have been targeted and killed by Israel as part of their ongoing campaign of assassinations.

Israel has previously admitted to conducting airstrikes in Syria, targeting sites that it claims are associated with Iran or its affiliated militant factions.

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