Gaza Herald – Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has officially approved an expansion of the eligibility criteria for obtaining firearm licenses to include 11 settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank. This decision was reported by Channel 14, marking a significant step in the ongoing policy to arm settler militias across the region.
According to the channel, the minister justified the move by citing the need to enhance security readiness within these communities. The stated objective is to enable residents of the affected areas to apply for permits to carry weapons, thereby increasing their perceived ability to defend themselves against potential threats.
This directive aligns with a broader strategy pursued by Ben-Gvir to facilitate access to firearms for settlers. The policy coincides with the formation of armed gangs in various settlements, a development that has sparked considerable alarm regarding the potential consequences for the local Palestinian population.
Observers warn that the increased proliferation of weapons among settlers poses severe risks to Palestinian lives, particularly in light of the escalating frequency of attacks on villages and residential clusters. Critics argue that such measures exacerbate existing tensions and endanger civilians who are already vulnerable to violence.
Data from United Nations sources indicates that since October 7, 2023, up to October 9, 2026, a total of 1,124 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army or settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These figures underscore the lethal impact of the current security environment on Palestinian communities.
Amnesty International has previously documented the systematic expansion of powers allowing the occupation authorities to loosen the conditions required for obtaining weapon licenses. The organization emphasized that the widespread availability of firearms among settlers significantly increases the dangers faced by Palestinians, especially those living in pastoral communities and villages located near settlements and outposts.
The approval of this new list of eligible locations further institutionalizes the disparity in security rights between settlers and Palestinians. Human rights advocates continue to call for an end to policies that prioritize settler armament at the expense of Palestinian safety and stability in the occupied territories.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
