IDF, Defense Ministry complete reequipment of 97 standby squads in North

The IDF and the Defense Ministry completed the reequipment of 97 emergency standby squads in the North, the ministry said.

Each community received weapons, uniforms, and medical equipment, among other things. 

The equipment was given to squads in communities in the Upper Galilee, Ma'ale Yosef, Mevo'ot HaHermon, Merom HaGalil, and Mateh Asher regional councils. 

The ministry said it would soon complete the reequipment of squads located in the Golan Heights, bringing the number of fully equipped squads to 120. 

As part of the program, the ministry's CEO, Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eyal Zamir, signed the acquisition order for 9,000 IWI ARAD rifles, which will be used by communities on the confrontation line. 

Strengthening Israel's borders

Zamir said that since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War, the "Defense Ministry has been working to strengthen the standby squads that fought valiantly on October 7. 

He further noted, "After reequipping the communities surrounding Gaza, we are now completing the reequipment of about 100 standby squads in the North with combat equipment, which will also include the 'Arad' - the advanced weapon of Israeli development. 

"The plan is part of the policy of strengthening the defense at the borders," along with "increasing the independence of production, including the provision of high-quality Israeli weapons," he concluded. 

The standby squads provide initial responses to security incidents occurring on a local scale.