Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 7, 2023
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 7, 2023
IDF launches program to better equip civilian defense teams
Defense Ministry officials supply weapons to civilian defense team's near the Gaza Border on December 12, 2023 (Defense Ministry)
The Israel Defense Forces and Defense Ministry launch a program to better equip civilian community defense teams.
The local teams are made up of residents of communities and are often the first to respond to infiltrations and attacks. On October 7 several of the teams in communities near the Gaza border were overwhelmed as they took on dozens of Hamas terrorists, sometimes without adequate arms and equipment.
In a statement, the military says it will start with Gaza-adjacent communities, supplying equipment to 12 teams every week.
The program will eventually be expanded to all communities across the country.
