More southern towns get weapons and combat equipment to help defend them

The IDF and the Defense Ministry begin distribution of weapons and combat equipment to civilian security squads in another 13 towns in the Gaza border region, following the roll-out of the program to other communities earlier this month.

The squads are receiving firearms, ceramic vests and helmets, while logistical and medical equipment will be delivered at a later date.

Civilian Security Squads in 23 communities will be fully kitted out by the end of this week, the army and ministry say in a joint statement.

The distribution of equipment is part of the “Mashiv Haruach” program which began on December 7, in which the IDF and the ministry are distributing weapons and military kits to civilian security squads of some 12 towns and communities in the region every week.

Some security squads played a crucial role in killing and warding off Hamas terrorists from communities on October 7. But squads were severely hampered by a lack of assault rifles which had been taken away from them by the IDF due the widespread theft of these weapons, leaving them outgunned by the terrorists.

The program to re-equip these squads, and training courses for them which have been conducted since the beginning of the current war, “are a central component in restoring security to residents [of the Gaza border region] the military and defense ministry state,” the military and Defense Ministry state.