Israel's security minister distributes assault rifles to civilians

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has begun distributing recently purchased assault rifles to civilian “security teams.”

Ben-Gvir said on the X social media platform Thursday that the distribution of weapons has begun in dozens of settlements.

On Tuesday, he said he directed the Ministry of National Security to purchase more than 10,000 firearms.

The distribution is focused on areas near the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and mixed cities where Jewish and Arabs live in Israel.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the weapons would be distributed to civilian “security teams” that include settler volunteers.

The move coincides with an ongoing conflict that began when the Palestinian Hamas group launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said it was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response.