High-resolution satellite images of Israel's most secret sites, including the Dimona nuclear center, IDF military bases and operational areas in the Gaza Strip, are now available for viewing on platforms such as Google Maps. These images raise serious questions about the security and protection of sensitive information, especially given the strategic importance of these facilities.
Despite the obvious risks to national security, the Israeli Ministry of Defense remains silent on this issue. Meanwhile, global satellite services continue to publish data, circumventing the restrictions set by the United States back in the last century. These rules, known as the Kyl-Bingaman Amendment (KBA), previously prohibited the publication of detailed satellite images of Israel and the occupied territories with a resolution above a certain level. However, with the abolition of the KBA in 2020, such restrictions ceased to apply, paving the way for the publication of increasingly clear images.
Today, any Internet user can explore the Dimona nuclear center, where the bulk of Israel's nuclear program is believed to be located. Detailed views of military bases, training grounds, and even areas of recent military operations in the Gaza Strip are also available. This poses a potential threat to the country's security, as such data can be used by Israel's opponents to plan attacks or analyze military infrastructure.
Experts note that technological progress and the commercialization of satellite imagery have made it impossible to fully control the dissemination of such information. Companies such as Google, Maxar Technologies, and Planet Labs regularly update their image databases, not always considering the geopolitical implications. In the case of Israel, this has led to the fact that information that was previously considered highly classified is now available to everyone.
The Israeli authorities have not yet taken any significant steps to address this issue. The lack of an official response is puzzling to security experts, who stress the need for dialogue with international companies and governments to minimize risks.
Meanwhile, the situation raises new questions for countries about the balance between freedom of information and national security. The public availability of data on secret facilities is just one example of how technology is changing the rules of the game in the modern world.
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