Deficiencies in the Golan defense system: "Broken gates, residents' lives in danger"

More than 20 security coordinators in the Golan Regional Council have sent a warning letter to the defense establishment and the IDF. They warn that the lack of basic protective equipment directly endangers the lives of residents in the northern sector. The warning comes against the backdrop of a perceived decline in the defense establishment's motivation to reinforce and support the settlements in terms of security.

Over the last three to four months, there has been a growing feeling within the Golan Regional Council that the defense establishment is less motivated to reinforce settlements and provide an adequate security response. This region is located within a triangle of borders with Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, with the latter also presenting a phenomenon of infiltrations from the east. At the same time, the IDF maintains that the settlements are part of its new defense concept.

In their letter, the security coordinators raise several claims regarding the defense system. One of the central issues concerns security vehicles. According to the coordinators, the vehicles provided do not meet the requirements defined by the Home Front Command itself, specifically regarding engine performance, off-road capability, towing capacity, and space for personnel and equipment.

The coordinators note that the Golan is characterized by terrain where it is impossible to rely solely on paved roads. A vehicle unsuited for these conditions limits the ability to arrive quickly at a security incident, as it may be impossible to take shortcuts off-road.

Another issue raised concerns the entrance gates to the settlements. The letter states that some gates are not automatic and that others are broken. They can be rammed, allowing unauthorized entry into the settlements. The coordinators raise this issue against the backdrop of the images etched in the public consciousness from the events of October 7, when settlement gates in the south were breached during the attack.

Furthermore, the letter criticizes the classification of threats to Golan settlements, claiming there is poor differentiation and raising concerns about how various settlements in the area are categorized.

The Home Front Command's response to the council's inquiries regarding security vehicles has sparked frustration on the ground. According to reports, the response suggested that it is better to have existing vehicles, even if they are not fully functional, than to have no vehicles at all.

Additionally, the Home Front Command claimed the vehicles meet requirements set in 2024. However, local officials argue that today, in 2026, the requirements have changed and the standards relied upon by the response are no longer in effect.

During the day, the Home Front Command published a statement admitting there is a problem with the distribution of settlements according to threat classification. This follows pressure from the council and local officials. The council and security coordinators are urging the defense establishment to listen to the claims arising from the field, emphasizing the importance of responding to the deficiencies identified by those responsible for local security.

The IDF was asked to respond to the claims raised in the letter, as well as the issues regarding vehicles, gates, and threat classification. As of the time of publication, the IDF had not provided a full and detailed response.