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Israeli intelligence unit confronts COVID-19

30th April 2020 - 10:00 GMT | by Joe Charlaff in Jerusalem

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A research and development laboratory called Unit 81, part of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Intelligence Directorate, has been working with the  health ministry, the Magen David Adom emergency service and hospitals throughout the country to find solutions to the medical challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Unit 81 created the Breathing Air programme in March, amid fears that Israeli hospitals lacked the ventilator capacity in the event of a widespread outbreak.

Deputy commander Lt Col A (the surname is withheld for security reasons) explained that Unit 81 is normally charged with developing classified technologies to support combat operations, but

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Joe Charlaff

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Joe Charlaff


Joe is a freelance correspondent based in Israel

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