Israel arms reservists with at-home weapons to cut response times

JERUSALEM –

Israel is set to station firearms in the homes of around 10,000 reserve soldiers, a move described by military officials as a direct response to the devastating Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, which caught the country’s defence apparatus off guard, local media reported Sunday.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the programme will primarily involve Division “David” (96), a unit formed approximately a year ago that relies on older reservists aged 40 to 60 who volunteer to return to service after completing their standard reserve duties.

Each soldier will receive an M4 rifle, an upgraded variant of the M16, along with ammunition, a combat vest and a helmet. The equipment will be delivered to their homes and stored in army-issued safes, enabling rapid mobilisation if a crisis similar to last October occurs.

Under the plan, uniforms will be worn only for brief periods each year, leaving the weapons in personal possession during everyday civilian life.

Israeli officials cited the October 7assault, which targeted military bases and adjacent settlements and resulted in Israeli deaths and captures, as a pivotal lesson.

The incident is regarded as the most severe intelligence and operational failure in recent Israeli history and triggered a comprehensive reassessment of the country’s reserve and rapid-response policies.

Israel’s reserve force numbers about 400,000 personnel. Military figures indicate that since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023, 923 Israeli soldiers and officers have been killed. In the same period, airstrikes in Gaza have caused nearly 71,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, and injured more than 171,000.

Despite a ceasefire that came into effect on 10 October, Israel faces ongoing international criticism for failing to fully comply with its obligations, particularly regarding the passage of agreed volumes of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The initiative to keep rifles in reservists’ homes marks a major shift in Israeli defence doctrine, reflecting a desire to respond faster to threats on domestic soil and to prevent a repeat of last year’s security lapses.

Observers suggest the move reflects deep anxiety within Israel’s security establishment about possible sudden breaches of its home front.

The decision comes as Israel continues to confront a volatile security landscape following nearly two years of intense conflict in Gaza, which has left scars on both the civilian population and military infrastructure.

Military planners say the programme is designed to ensure that, in the event of an unexpected incursion or attack, reservists can be mobilised instantly, reducing response times and bolstering national resilience.