IDF won't disarm self-defense units in northern Israel after all

In response to a wave of public outrage, the IDF has abandoned the idea of confiscating weapons from residents of towns adjacent to the northern border fence. At the onset of the conflict, they were distributed to self-defense units, called kitot konenut.

"Having reassessed the situation, we made a decision not to seize the firearms in communities located in the border area, including those mentioned in the earlier letter regarding weapon collection. Reserve forces mobilized at the beginning of the conflict by the Home Front Command will continue to operate, and they will continue to carry weapons," states the official IDF release. "There are no changes regarding self-defense units in communities near the separation barrier; in the coming days, they will receive additional arms and ammunition and undergo extra training."

Military district command is also developing a program to strengthen security in other areas of the country, in line with the evolving situation. Security services will join the police forces there.

On December 23, local councils' leaders in Upper Galilee, Merom HaGalil, Mevo'ot HaHermon, Hatzor HaGlilit, Rosh Pinna, and Yesud HaMa'ala received a message from the IDF, stating that they must surrender the weapons distributed to self-defense units at the beginning of the conflict. This demand sparked protests in the media, social networks, and local administration, leading to the IDF's withdrawal of the request.