Israeli army forms new brigade for emergencies

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has formed a new brigade to deal with national emergencies, the army announced Wednesday.

The brigade comprises four existing Home Front Command's search-and-rescue battalions.

As a centralised operations centre, the brigade will coordinate the activities of the four battalions in dealing with mass casualty incidents, including missile strikes launched on multiple fronts, chemical and biological weapons and natural disasters, reported Xinhua.

Israel's defence establishment estimates that thousands of rockets and missiles are regularly launched against the country from neighbouring states by militant groups.

General Eyal Eizenberg, who heads the Home Front Command, said that threats and challenges facing Israel are on a rise.

"Our homes have become targets for more attacks, and we are ready to assist the population in the emergency cases," Eizenberg said.

The new brigade is located at the IDF's southern camp Zikim and its first commander would be Colonel Yoram Laredo.