Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai criticized, during closed talks in recent days, the mass distribution of weapons to hundreds of civilians, saying it could reach "the wrong hands" – and even lead to shootings from both sides among civilians.

Senior police officers join the commissioner’s criticism of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s initiative to increase weapons distribution, saying "No one is thoroughly checking who receives the weapons, and in this state of panic, weapons are being distributed to everyone, and after the war, it will not be easy to collect them. According to them, 'we may pay a heavy price: casualties, weapon theft, and uncontrolled use'."

The Hebrew newspaper "Haaretz" quoted security sources saying "the commissioner said in the talks, 'We must be very careful with this distribution of weapons without any supervision,'" adding, referring to Ben-Gvir’s practices of celebrating and taking photos during weapon distribution", and Shabtai supported the creation of reserve units, but he now expresses concern about the recruits in them, confirming the need to monitor and train them.

Since the beginning of the war, the Ministry of National Security has established more than 600 reserve classes across the country, including in settlements far from the border or those without a mixed population.

Ben-Gvir appointed the former Northern District commander (retired) Shimon Lavi as responsible for arming the settlers, according to documents from the Ministry of National Security, during a meeting he held with the Prime Minister about three weeks ago, and it was decided to accelerate the establishment of the units and equip them with 40,000 "combat kits" including personal rifles and equipment.

So far, about 25,000 weapons have been purchased from Israeli companies, along with ammunition and additional combat equipment. One document stated that additional purchases are necessary because "the stock is running out."