The Israeli military is exploring the option of arming civilian security squads in isolated West Bank settlements and others close to Palestinian villages with anti-tank missiles.
The suggested action, which IDF officials confirmed is currently being considered, is intended to address a scenario in which terrorists raid West Bank settlements in cars, similar to what transpired during the October 7 massacres in Israeli communities along the border with Gaza. IDF commanders have not expressed opposition in meetings held so far, and the plan is now awaiting approval by senior security officials.
Growing tensions in the West Bank and pressure from senior right-wing politicians and military security coordinators since the war broke out are the motives behind the plan. The army so far has distributed a considerable amount of weapons and munitions to civilian security squads for reinforcement, including thousands of pistols, M-16 semiautomatic rifles and machine guns.
The plan calls for allocating the missiles to the commanders of the security squads, which they'd have to keep in a weapons storeroom or in another way, according to the army's demand. The commanders and the military security coordinators in the settlements would be responsible for the anti-tank missiles. Security squads consist of civilian members who assist with the defense of settlements in emergency situations. They operate under the IDF's Central Command.
IDF officials explained that the process is designed to boost the defense of the settlements so that their residents would be equipped to respond quickly in case of a mass invasion with vehicles, as transpired in the massacre of the Gaza Border Communities. Hamas terrorists invaded on cars and motorcycles during the massacre, and Israeli security forces as well as self-defending individuals struggled to target the vehicles while awaiting the arrival of the air force.
