A central figure in the accelerated arming of civilian security teams has been National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir.
By Hezy Laing
In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, Israel has undertaken one of the most sweeping overhauls of civilian security preparedness in decades.
A central component of this effort is the nationwide distribution of thousands of IWI Arad rifles to local security squads, emergency response teams, and rapid‑deployment units in towns and communities across the country.
The move reflects a fundamental shift in how Israel views the role of armed civilian responders, particularly in border regions and rural areas where the first minutes of an attack can determine the scale of casualties.
The Arad rifle—produced by Israel Weapon Industries—is a modern, modular platform chambered in both 5.56×45mm NATO and .300 Blackout, designed for reliability, accuracy, and adaptability in close‑quarters and open‑terrain engagements.
Its lightweight construction, ambidextrous controls, and compatibility with advanced optics and accessories make it a significant upgrade over older models previously issued to civilian teams, such as the M16 and CAR‑15 variants that have been in service for decades.
Following the failures exposed on October 7th, when several communities were left to defend themselves for hours before military reinforcements arrived, the Ministry of National Security and the IDF Home Front Command accelerated the arming and training of local defense squads.
Thousands of Arad rifles have already been delivered to communities in the Gaza envelope, the northern border region, Judea and Samaria, and mixed cities that maintain volunteer security units.
The distribution is accompanied by expanded training programs, standardized readiness protocols, and upgraded communication systems intended to ensure that civilian responders can operate effectively alongside military forces.
A central figure in the accelerated arming of civilian security teams has been National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir, whose ministry oversees the distribution of weapons to local response units.
Following October 7th, Ben‑Gvir announced an emergency program to supply tens of thousands of firearms—including the new Arad rifles—to communities across the country, particularly in the Gaza envelope, the northern border region, and mixed cities.
His office expanded licensing procedures, increased the number of authorized civilian security squads, and streamlined the approval process for volunteers seeking to join them.
Ben‑Gvir has argued that heavily armed and well‑trained civilian teams are essential to preventing a repeat of the delays and vulnerabilities exposed during the Hamas attack.
The initiative has significantly increased the number of weapons in the hands of vetted civilian responders and has become one of the most visible components of Israel’s post‑October 7th security overhaul.
Officials have emphasized that the goal is not to militarize civilian life, but to ensure that every community has a capable, well‑equipped first line of defense.
The events of October 7th demonstrated that local responders—often the first to confront infiltrators—require modern weapons and structured support to delay or neutralize threats until the IDF arrives.
The Arad rifle program is part of a broader national effort to close the gaps revealed during the attack and to strengthen Israel’s resilience against any future surprises.
