The Israeli army is planning to arm approximately 10,000 reserve soldiers with weapons to be permanently kept in their homes. This initiative is reportedly a direct response to lessons learned from the October 7th attack.
According to reports, the plan focuses on reservists within the “David 96” division, a unit established roughly a year ago. This division comprises older reservists, aged between 40 and 60, who have volunteered to serve beyond their mandatory reserve duty.
Each member of this division will be issued an M4 rifle – a modern variant of the M16 – along with loaded magazines, a helmet, and protective gear. This equipment will be stored at their residences, enabling them to be rapidly deployed to their assigned sectors in the event of a similar crisis.
This marks a significant policy shift for the Israeli military. Previously, soldiers, including combat personnel, were generally prohibited from taking their weapons home due to concerns about theft or accidental misuse. Now, these reservists will maintain possession of army-issued firearms year-round, secured within a large safe provided by the military.
Yedioth Ahronoth reports that these soldiers will only be required to wear their uniforms for a few weeks annually. The army views this measure as a crucial adaptation following the events of October 7th. Israeli officials have described the October 7th attack as a major intelligence and military failure, significantly damaging Israel’s image and the reputation of its army.
The Israeli army has a reserve force of approximately 400,000 soldiers. Since the start of the war in Gaza, military data indicates that over 900 officers and soldiers have been killed.
This move aims to improve the readiness of reserve forces and ensure a faster response time in future emergencies.
