TEL AVIV —Israel's military has developed a non-lethal weapon
to neutralize hostile demonstrators.
The military has tested the "Shout," a non-lethal acoustic system that
employs a high intensity, high frequency sound beam meant to frighten
hostile crowds. The Shout is capable of incapacitating targets
up to 100 meters away without causing physical damage.
So far, three systems have been delivered to the Israel military's
Central Command and deployment was scheduled to begin this month, Middle East Newsline reported. The Shout
has already undergone military trials.
The Shout, which reproduces the sound of the firing of a tank shell,
consists of a mounted acoustic cannon that aims a narrow beam of sound
toward targets. The system has been designated for deployment on the Sufa
4x4 light utility armored vehicle, used in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Officials said the Israel Navy was also examining the system for deployment
on fast patrol boats.
The development of Shout stemmed from a Defense Ministry decision to
invest in research and development of non-lethal weapons in the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip. The ministry has also developed a system that produces
an odor so pungent that it causes people to flee.
Officials said Shout could help reduce the use of main battle tanks in
operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Brig. Gen. Gadi Eisencott,
commander of military forces in the West Bank, said he has reduced the use
of tanks over the last two years.