CBNNews.com - JERUSALEM, Israel - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been collecting military-issue weapons from Jewish communities in the Binyamin area in Samaria over the past several weeks.

According to the IDF, only military-issue weapons that are not in use are being collected.

"The weapons were collected for maintenance reasons and are intended to stay in the IDF's hands except for emergency cases," an IDF official said.

"There are still weapons in the hands of rapid response teams and those licensed to carry arms," he said, adding that if the need arose, "weapons will be distributed to graduates of combat units."

But Jewish residents in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) said it will be difficult to secure permits for new weapons.

"This is a severe blow to the security of those driving the roads in the 'territories,' especially after the removal of roadblocks and the delivery of weapons to the Palestinian Authority," an IDF reserve officer residing in the area told Israel Radio.

According to a report in israel national news, the IDF is restructuring its operation in Judea and Samaria, with the goal of providing more, rather than less, protection for Jewish residents.

In December, IDF officers met with the heads of security in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria to explain the reorganization program.

Sources: The Jerusalem Post, israel national news