Gaza Envelope Mayors Furious: 'No to Force Reduction' | First Publication

Heads of local authorities in the Gaza envelope are furious over a reported plan to reduce forces and reserve days for fighters. In an urgent letter to the Defense Minister, they demand a halt to cuts in emergency response teams, arguing it harms residents' security and contradicts a previous commitment.

Heads of local authorities in southern Israel expressed fury on Thursday over a reported intention to reduce forces and reserve days for fighters in the Gaza envelope. In an urgent letter to the Defense Minister, sent by the mayors of Sderot, Sha'ar HaNegev, Eshkol, Sdot Negev, and Hof Ashkelon together with the Atid La'Otef movement, it is claimed that the move directly harms residents' security and contradicts a commitment that no reduction in defense forces in the envelope communities would be made until the end of the year. Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi said that the lessons of October 7 require strengthening the first line of defense, not weakening it. CEO of Atid La'Otef, Ohad Cohen, added that any reduction in manpower or readiness is a wrong and dangerous step. The demands include an immediate halt to all cuts, dialogue with authorities before changes, and ensuring long-term stability for emergency response teams through permanent budgeting.