Security at Israel's nuclear reactor in the southern city of Dimona has for years been inadequate and has suffered serious shortcomings, Israel Hayom has learned. Several inspections of the site, meant to be the most secure location in the country, found severe flaws in its defenses. In light of the findings, and following heated debates among defense establishment officials, an additional NIS 30 million ($8.4 million) has been allocated to upgrade security on the grounds surrounding the reactor. The funds are being used to purchase vehicles, cameras, and intelligence and observation equipment. According to a senior defense official, some of the faults have already been addressed. Israel has maintained a policy of "nuclear ambiguity," neither confirming nor denying that it possesses nuclear weapons. However, international media have reported that Israel is producing nuclear weapons at the Dimona reactor. Due to the important and sensitive nature of the facility, it is illustrated on international maps as a permanent no-fly zone, and the Israel Air Force vigilantly protects the site. IAF interceptor aircraft are dispatched to divert any unidentified aircraft suspected of approaching the site. Ground security for the site has in recent years been the responsibility of the Homefront Command, and Israeli soldiers are habitually stationed at the site to prevent infiltration. However, Israel Hayom has learned that ground security around the strategic site has not been upgraded for years. "Ground defenses at the site are disgraceful," one defense official told Israel Hayom. Despite these shortcomings, during a military drill that simulated infiltration into such facilities, soldiers were unsuccessful in penetrating the defenses around the Negev Nuclear Research Center, some13 kilometers southeast of Dimona. Israel's top military and defense officials were alarmed by the report of security flaws at Dimona. Senior Homefront Command officers brought the issue to the attention of General Staff commanders, who held numerous discussions on the matter with senior Israel Defense Forces Operations Directorate officials. Homefront Command officers demanded an increase in their budget to upgrade security at the Dimona facilities, but were denied by various authorities. In the end, officials from the political echelon intervened. "I would expect that the country's most strategic site would have the best security the country can provide," a defense official told Israel Hayom. "Yet in reality the site was less secure than the routine security provided at some of Israel's borders. The gap was significant, and it took a long time before a proper budget was allocated for security." As a result of the prolonged discussions among senior officials and the persistence of some, NIS 30 million ($8.4 million) was allocated several months ago to secure the nuclear facility. One defense official said that since then the situation has improved. In response to the revelations, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said, "The Homefront Command conducts many drills to improve the site's preparedness for emergencies. Due to the sensitive nature of the site, the IDF will not provide details of its plans for security to a newspaper."
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