Israel to issue home-stored rifles to 10,000 reservists: report
In a major policy shift, Israel plans to permanently distribute military rifles and gear to approximately 10,000 older reservists for storage in their private homes, according to local media. The initiative aims to slash mobilization times, a lesson officials reportedly drew from the security failures of October 2023. The weapons would remain with the soldiers year-round.
The Israeli military is preparing a significant change to its reserve forces policy, planning to issue approximately 10,000 reservists with assault rifles and combat equipment to be stored permanently in their homes, Israeli media reported Sunday. The move, reportedly a direct lesson from the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, is designed to enable ultra-rapid mobilization of a specific reserve division consisting of older veterans.
Details of the New Reserve Program
According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the program will focus on the “David” Division, a unit formed roughly a year ago composed of reservists aged 40 to 60 who have volunteered to return to duty. Each soldier will be provided with an M4 or upgraded M16 rifle, magazines, a vest, and a helmet, all to be kept in a large safe at their residence. This marks a stark departure from previous regulations, which largely prohibited combat troops from taking their service weapons home due to safety and security concerns.
Rationale and Potential Implications
Military officials cited the deadly October 7 assaults, where response times were critically slow, as the catalyst for this shift. “Rifles to be kept at home year-round, aiming to dramatically cut response times in future emergencies,” the paper stated. The reservists under this scheme would wear uniforms for only a few weeks annually, meaning the weapons will be in their personal custody while they live as civilians. Israel maintains a large reserve force of around 400,000 individuals, with over 923 Israeli soldiers reported killed since the onset of the war in Gaza.
Context of Ongoing Conflict
The reported policy development occurs amid continued regional tension. While a ceasefire has been in effect, allegations of violations persist, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe. Palestinian health authorities report that Israeli military operations since October 2023 have resulted in nearly 71,000 fatalities and over 171,000 injuries in the Gaza Strip. This new arms distribution plan underscores Israel’s focus on heightened, decentralized domestic readiness as conflicts continue.
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