Thousands of Israelis buy firearms and ammunition amid Gaza war

The Hamas terrorist group's lethal assault on Israel has led to a massive surge in firearm licenses and ammunition sales in the Jewish state this past week.

As a result of the dramatic increase in demand for firearms since the Hamas invasion and attack on Saturday, Oct. 7, the Israeli National Security Ministry has added 60 more staff members in order to manage the growing volume.

Israeli authorities have approved more than 27,000 new licenses for private firearms since the beginning of 2022, Israel's N12 news reported. By comparison, only 12,896 new firearms licenses were issued in 2022.

The demand for private firearm licenses in Israel has nearly tripled since 2021 when there were a mere 10,000 gun license approvals.

An increase in terrorism within the West Bank, as well as shooting attacks in Israel have contributed to the increased focus on self-defensive measures among Israelis.

Gun training in Israel is fairly straightforward and takes around four and a half hours. It includes firing up to 100 bullets along with theoretical classroom sessions about firearms.

S, an anonymous Jerusalem shop and shooting range manager, says more basic firearms currently cost about NIS 3,000 ($755) while more advanced firearms can cost between NIS 4,000 and NIS 5,000 (about $1,000 and $1,259, respectively).

Christian supporters of Israel are assisting many Israelis during this challenging time.

Moti Litwornik, a tour guide from Jerusalem who works with Canadian and French Evangelical Christians, confirmed that many Christians are rallying behind the Jewish state.

“I have raised funds from Christian lovers of Israel and Jews, and bought equipment and food for soldiers in the South,” Litwornik told the Jerusalem Post.

He added that many IDF reserve soldiers lack proper equipment on the Gaza Strip front.

"I traveled to my son who is serving in the IDF and brought them food. They aren’t lacking food, but they lack equipment and are trying to make do with it."

Israelis living in the southern region near Gaza are particularly vulnerable to the ongoing war with Hamas.

The Israeli government decided on Sunday to evacuate Sderot, one of the embattled Israeli city with a population of 30,000 people adjacent to the Gaza Strip.

The city has sustained 75 direct rocket hits since the beginning of the war.

A Gaza rocket struck the city during the evacuation of the civilian Israeli population.

Joel C. Rosenberg, the editor-in-chief of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS, experienced firsthand a terrifying Hamas rocket attack during a visit to Sderot on Sunday.

Rosenberg stressed the difficult situation for residents of Sderot who have been terrorized by Hamas rocket attacks for years.

“It’s impossible to explain just how terrifying it is to be under live Hamas rocket fire. And to pray as you run to a bomb shelter, trusting that the God of Israel – and the Iron Dome system – will save your life,” Rosenberg said.

Due to its close proximity to the Gaza Strip, IDF Homefront Command has issued the residents of Sderot a mere 15 seconds to seek shelter from incoming rockets.

As a result, the local authorities have built many bomb shelters across the city over the years.