Israel's PM urges citizens to arm themselves

Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on licensed Israeli gun owners to arm themselves in public as he detailed various measures being taken in the wake of three deadly terror attacks over the past week, Report informs, citing Israeli media.

"Citizens of Israel, we are currently experiencing a wave of murderous terrorism," Bennett said in a video statement.

"What is expected of you, citizens of Israel? Alertness and responsibility. Open your eyes. Whoever has a license to carry a weapon, this is the time to carry it," he said.

Bennett said the Israel Defense Forces and wider security establishment had taken immediate steps to improve intelligence for preventing the next attack:

"We are experiencing a murderous terror wave, and as in all previous waves, this time we will also overcome."

The premier said his government agreed to form a new "border police brigade" that would track those who ever had any connection to the Islamic State (IS) group and said he was looking at ways to incorporate volunteers, "citizens who want to assist".

On March 29, a Palestinian terrorist killed five people in Bnei Brak. Earlier attacks in Hadera and Beersheba killed six Israelis. The spate of violence marked Israel's highest toll in terror attacks in such a short time since 2006.