Gaza border leaders furious, oppose planned security force cuts

Local authority leaders in southern Israel are voicing significant anger over proposed reductions in military personnel and reserve duty days serving along the Gaza border. They contend that these planned cuts would directly compromise the security of residents and contradict assurances that forces defending the area would not be diminished before the year's end.

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The security of Gaza border residents is not an area for budget cuts.

"The security of Gaza border residents is not an area for budget cuts," stated the leaders of Sderot, Sha'ar HaNegev, Eshkol, Sdot Negev, and Hof Ashkelon local authorities, alongside the Future for the Gaza Border Communities movement. In an urgent letter to the defense minister, they warned that the move would harm residents' safety and disregard the lessons learned from the October 7 attacks, which they believe necessitate strengthening, not weakening, the first line of defense.

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The lessons of October 7 are not learned through declarations, but by maintaining the first line of defense for the Gaza border communities.

Alon Davidi, Mayor of Sderot, stressed the vital importance of local defense units, describing the civilian security squads as an "essential security component that saves lives." He criticized any decisions made without consulting local authorities as a mistake with potentially heavy consequences. Davidi insisted that the security of Gaza border residents should not be subject to budget constraints or unilateral decisions, demanding a halt to the proposed cuts and a genuine dialogue with local leadership.

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The civilian security squads are an essential security component that saves lives, and any harm to their preparedness or decisions made without discussions with the local authorities is a mistake that could come at a heavy cost.

Ohad Cohen, CEO of the Future for the Gaza Border Communities movement, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that October 7 demonstrated the indispensable role of civilian security teams in community safety. The leaders are calling for an immediate cessation of cuts affecting civilian security squads and other security resources. They also demand that local authorities be consulted on any changes to the civilian security system and seek long-term stability through permanent funding and planning for these squads.

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The security of Gaza border residents cannot be subject to budget cuts or unilateral decisions.