Israel Hands Over 20,000 Rifles to Alert Teams Civilian Militias

Tel Aviv – The Israeli Army's Home Front Command announced that it will hand over 20,000 rifles to so-called "alert teams” – civilian militias, according to directives issued by Defence Minister Yoav Galant. So far, 1,000 members of these militias have been armed. 

Members of these militias must collaborate with police forces and border guards in mixed Jewish-Arab cities, with Israel claiming that the aim of their presence is to provide a rapid response to the infiltration of armed individuals into Israel, both near the border and within the country, in order to enhance the residents’ sense of personal security.

Critics fear the arms will be used against Palestinian communities, with the potential for far-right activities to take the law in to their own hands with impunity.

Previously, the Israel-Hamas conflict has claimed thousands of lives. In fact, medical facilities in the Palestinian territories are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded patients and displaced residents.

Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza City, is reportedly facing dire conditions. Palestinian doctors there voiced concerns about the threat of infectious disease outbreaks due to severe overcrowding.

"There are thousands, even tens of thousands of people flocking to the hospital," said surgeon Ghassan Abu Sitta.

"They are sleeping on the floor, in the corridors, between patients' beds. People are very scared, and they think this is the safest place and everything around them confirms that," Sitta concluded.