Israeli Police Form 600 Local Self-Defense Units

The Israeli police have established a total of 600 local self-defense units. This was reported by the Times of Israel newspaper.

According to the newspaper, Shimon Lavin, the special coordinator assigned by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, stated that since October 7, 600 self-defense units have been created and armed. He noted that this constitutes one-third of the proposed goal, with another 1,200 such units expected to be formed within the next 10 days.

He emphasized that priority will be given to the establishment of these units in mixed-population areas inhabited by both Jewish and Arab communities. The special coordinator mentioned that the operations of the self-defense units will be overseen by the Israeli police. He added that members of these units have the same rights to use firearms as police officers do.

Earlier, the Israeli national security minister announced that his office had purchased 10,000 rifles to equip the self-defense units. Following the Hamas attack, the Israeli police and defense ministry declared that they would begin arming volunteer formations. The total number of these units is expected to reach 13,200 people.