TPS: Judea and Samaria Residents Warn of Reduced Ability to Counter Terror Cells and Extreme Scenarios
Judea and Samaria residents warn of weakened security due to fewer firearms, impacting response to terror cells and emergencies.
Jerusalem, 20 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Residents of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are warning that changes to the distribution of firearms could weaken their ability to respond to major security emergencies, including infiltration by large terror cells.
Residents, particularly in communities in the Etzion regional brigade, say fewer rifles are being issued as older weapons are collected and replaced with new Israeli-made Arad rifles. They argue that many communities lack perimeter fences and could face scenarios involving large-scale terrorist infiltration or a mass assault.
Residents say they should remain the first line of defense until additional military forces arrive. They are calling for increased weapons allocations as Jewish communities continue to expand.
Central Command officials reject the criticism, saying weapons are distributed according to operational standards and approved quotas. They said weapons previously issued beyond authorized quotas are being reduced to bring communities into compliance with established procedures.