Gaza border leaders furious, oppose planned security force cuts

ByYANIR YAGNAAUGUST 1, 2026 08:22Local authority leaders in southern Israel expressed anger on Thursday over plans to reduce the number of troops deployed in the Gaza border communities and cut the number of reserve duty days served by soldiers in the area.They warned that the proposed move would directly undermine residents’ security and violate a commitment that forces defending the Gaza border communities would not be reduced before the end of the year.“The security of Gaza border residents is not an area for budget cuts,” they said. “The lessons of October 7 are not learned through declarations, but by maintaining the first line of defense for the Gaza border communities.”The heads of the Sderot, Sha’ar HaNegev, Eshkol, Sdot Negev, and Hof Ashkelon local authorities, together with the Future for the Gaza Border Communities movement, sent an urgent letter to the defense minister on Thursday morning calling for reserve duty days for civilian security squads not to be reduced.They said the move would directly harm residents’ security and contradict the commitment that forces defending the Gaza border communities would not be reduced before the end of the year.Alon Davidi, Mayor of Sderot, Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry, Uri Epstein, head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, and Zeev Elkin, take part in a cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Sapirim Industrial Park in the city of Sderot, southern Israel, January 29, 2026. (credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)Local leaders demand an immediate halt to cuts affecting civilian security teamsIn the letter, the local authority heads and the Future for the Gaza Border Communities movement demanded an immediate halt to any cuts affecting civilian security squads and other security resources.They also called for local authority leaders to be consulted before any changes are made to the civilian security system and demanded long-term stability for the civilian security squads through permanent funding and planning.Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi said, “The lessons of October 7 require us to strengthen the first line of defense for the Gaza border communities, not weaken it.”Davidi emphasized the importance of the local defense units, saying, “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.”He added, “The security of Gaza border residents cannot be subject to budget cuts or unilateral decisions.”Davidi then called for the proposed cuts to be halted.“We demand that the move be halted, that genuine dialogue be held with the local authorities, and that every community be provided with all the tools needed to protect its residents at all times.”October 7 showed that civilian security teams are essential for community safetyOhad Cohen, CEO of the Future for the Gaza Border Communities movement, echoed Davidi’s concerns.“The main lesson of October 7 is that the first line of defense for the Gaza border communities must not be weakened,” Cohen said.He stressed the role played by local security personnel, saying, “The civilian security squads and community security coordinators have proven that they save lives, and therefore any reduction in their personnel or preparedness is a mistaken and dangerous step.”Cohen concluded by urging the defense minister to reverse the planned move.“We call on the defense minister to halt the move, uphold the commitments made to Gaza border residents, and ensure that their security is not subjected to budgetary considerations.”Follow us on Google