How Israeli citizens are protecting themselves after government fails to defend border
The October 7th Islamic attack on Israel marked the onset of a stark reality — citizens had to become their own protectors.
This notion was not foreign to the Jewish people in Israel; self-defense was deeply ingrained into their history. In pre-state Israel Jewish communities, including many kibbutzim, made use of a "wall and tower" approach to establish new communities and to protect their homes, and fields from Muslim aggression.
However, as time rolled on and the establishment of formal military and police forces came into being, a sense of complacency began to creep in. While some communities upheld various levels of defensive preparedness, these were typically located in areas adjacent to volatile Muslim areas such as in Judea, Samaria, and along the border regions.
The tides turned on October 7th as thousands of Muslims from Gaza initiated an assault on numerous Jewish communities, to rape, murder, and take hostages. The only thing that stood between the blood-thirsty attackers and the residents was a small contingent of civilians, inadequately armed yet determined in their resolve to protect their communities.
Several communities that managed to mobilize their internal defenses swiftly succeeded in completely fending off the assailants. Among them are Kibbutz Zikim, where just a few locals battled terrorists equipped with RPGs and machine guns. Residents of Kibbutz Nir Am similarly fought off all the attackers and saved everyone in the kibbutz. The security team of Kibbutz Or HaNer, even went over to thwart the terrorist infiltration in the neighboring Kibbutz Erez.
However, not all communities fared as well. Some were too underprepared, outnumbered, or delayed in their response to fully prevent these incursions. Despite these challenges, they were still able to save lots of lives by fighting back.
Tragically, many first responders from these communities were wounded, killed, or taken captive while defending their towns — most senior among them, the head of the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, Ofir Libstein, who died defending his kibbutz Kfar Aza. A brief description of how local security forces faired against the terrorist attacks is included at the end of this article from Ynet News.
One clear conclusion emerged from these events: the effectiveness of a community's protection hinged significantly on its local residents. This would likely remain the case until the nation reexamines its outlook towards its threats from neighboring Muslims.
In the immediate aftermath of the October 7th onslaughts, kibbutzes, as well as towns and city neighborhoods spanning the nation, began to organize and reinforce their 'Kitat Konenut,' directly translated as Preparedness Squads, also referred to as Security Teams.
Get Frontline Dispatch, for news you can LIVE with.Subscribe
As news of the escalating situation in the south permeated the country, citizens banded together, preparing themselves to thwart potential assaults on their communities. The situation was further complicated by the mobilization of nearly all army reservists. The very people who would be best suited for local preparedness were no longer available.
The question that arose was clear-cut and challenging: How could communities safeguard themselves from possible attacks without relying on external forces?
Communities seek tactical gear
Communities are strategically getting a variety of essential tactical equipment to fortify their defense capacities. The extent and type of gear vary significantly among them, dictated by factors such as budget constraints, perceived threats, and internal capabilities.
Among the more common items are military-grade bulletproof vests and helmets. Critical protection which has been in short supply since the outbreak of the war, this gear gives the community defenders more time to hold off an attack.
During the Muslim massacre, prompt and accurate communication among local defense forces was not what it should have been. The ability to rapidly relay information about an incursion's location to all relevant team members is crucial, ensuring that volunteers and resources are dispatched expediently and accurately. As a response to this need, communities are integrating the use of walkie-talkies within their defense teams, instead of relying on text messaging, thereby streamlining their communication processes.
Drones have emerged as a desirable tool for local defense, especially in more rural communities. Offering an aerial perspective, drones equip security teams with valuable insight into the nature of any incoming attack, which can significantly influence their response before the threat is at the gate. Drones are also used for efficient patrols, covering greater areas using fewer resources.
Equipped with thermal imaging, these drones are instrumental in detecting nighttime attacks, spotting forest fires, and even aiding in search and rescue missions. This comprehensive adoption of tactical gear underscores the communities' proactive approach, reaffirming their readiness to defend themselves.
Enhancing the handgun
Reservists who had M16 rifles were called up for duty immediately during the Hamas attack, taking their guns with them. The weapons left to defend the home front were limited to handguns. But handguns have limitations.
Firearm enthusiasts would be interested to learn about this simple innovation — the Roni. This is a unique attachment, designed to transform a standard 9mm Glock into a formidable, military-style weapon. What makes the Roni such an enhancement? Primarily it's all about stabilizing the firearm so as to optimize accuracy at even longer distances.
The mechanism is straightforward yet effective: by securing the handgun within the Roni, the sight radius is extended beyond what a mere handgun could achieve. Its other advantage lies in the additional grip it offers. In contrast to a handgun that provides a single grip — resulting in less stability — the Roni provides an extra grip at the front, augmenting control over the weapon.
Moreover, the Roni channels the recoil from the wrist to the shoulder, like a rifle. This clever design allows shooters to re-aim swiftly for subsequent shots. The Roni is carried by a shoulder strap so it’s more visible and quicker to access, eliminating the need to fumble with holsters.
Also, the Roni has a dedicated space for storing an additional magazine, streamlining the reloading process. Its larger size accommodates an extended magazine effortlessly, increasing the bullet capacity from 15 to 50 — an important function when battling a terrorist infiltration.
Lastly, the Roni provides ample room for other popular accessories, such as laser sights and mounted flashlights, which are commonplace with Israeli local security teams.
Video: File footage of someone using the Roni
Securing the secure room
In the wake of the menacing intrusion by Hamas, where homes became the center stage for ruthlessness and violence, families sought refuge in the one place they believed was impervious - their fortified shelter rooms.
Constructed from reinforced concrete, these rooms, now a mandatory feature in all new buildings since the Gulf War in 1992, were designed as a bulwark against rocket attacks. The doors, forged from robust steel, feature an airtight seal to prevent the incursion of toxic gases.
Closing the doors required physical strength, but even when closed, these doors can be opened from the outside - an intentional design to aid rescuers in accessing the room's occupants in case the building around it is destroyed. However, these doors, while helpful against rocket and chemical attacks, were not suited to prevent intrusion by terrorists, robbers, or others looking to get in.
During the Hamas attacks, hundreds of families huddled within these shelter rooms, their only barrier against murderous invaders — a steel door that they held tightly shut. The inhabitants were left clinging to the door handles, sometimes for hours on end, as the invaders attempted to break in.
In response to this vulnerability, quick-thinking individuals devised an ingenious yet straightforward solution. Unlike the Roni, this solution has no name and is an unassuming simple plank of wood with a hole in it.
The plank, cut to fit the width of the door, is drilled with a hole aligned with the door handle when in its upward (closed) position. Once the wooden brace is jammed into the door frame, it renders the door handle immovable, thereby strengthening the room's defense against intrusion.
In the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks, instructional videos were shared on social media demonstrating how to make and use this life-saving solution. Carpenters and handy people across the nation mobilized, cutting and drilling wooden braces, and distributing them to those in need. These seemingly simple planks of wood exemplified the people's resilience and ingenuity in the face of new kinds of threats.
Video: Israeli man demonstrating how to use the door brace
Preparing for rocket attacks
The October 7th Islamic attack was more than just an invasion; it came with a devastating deluge of rockets, reinforcing the fears of a similar scenario in northern Israel.
In the North, the threat posed by Islamic forces operates under the Hezbollah banner. Despite similarities with Hamas, Hezbollah has been accumulating its arsenal in the 17 years since the Second Lebanon War. It is estimated that they now possess around 200,000 rockets aimed at Israel.
In a chilling scenario where over 2,000 rockets could rain down on Israeli territory every day, it's simply not feasible for the government to address each impact site, even where there may be civilians trapped under the rubble. Instead of relying on the government, once again ordinary citizens banded together to create and expand local rescue teams.
Equipped with essential tools like jacks, generators, and long pry bars, these teams train, gather more tools, and stand ready to rescue people from collapsed buildings.
Innovative self-reliance
These are just a few of the tools and strategies used by Israelis after the realization that the government cannot be relied upon to defend and secure local communities.
Realizing the threats around them, the citizens did not succumb to despair or helplessness - nor are they addressing every possible threat. Instead, they chose to band together, arming themselves with innovative solutions and a spirit of unity. From enhancing safe rooms with a simple plank of wood to equipping local defense forces, they have set an empowering precedent.
