"Coincidence" #16: The IDF's Weapons Ban for Standby Forces

Fatal Misjudgment: The IDF's Weapons Ban for Standby Forces
The IDF recently issued a controversial command forbidding the standby forces in the communities surrounding Gaza from keeping weapons in their homes. This decision has taken a bloody toll on the community.
The IDF's directive mandated that all weapons be stored in central armories, citing concerns about potential thefts from homes. This directive included confiscating long guns from some residents. Such a measure contradicts the fundamental principle of maintaining readiness, where soldiers are expected to be prepared for immediate action, often sleeping fully dressed with weapons at hand.
Despite urgent warnings before the disaster, the IDF did not revise this command. Consequently, many residents were massacred by Hamas terrorists while attempting to reach the armory to retrieve their weapons. In numerous instances, the armory was locked, keys were missing, and residents were unable to arm themselves in time.
A chilling example of the dire consequences of this decision comes from Avihai Brodetz of Kfar Aza. When terrorists attacked, Brodetz ran to the armory to retrieve his rifle. Upon his return, he found his house empty—his wife and three children had been kidnapped to Gaza.
This tragic policy failure starkly illustrates the need for a reassessment of security protocols to ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.