Israel allows 'Every Citizen' to carry a gun for self-defense

Israel's security council has approved measures to make it easier for Israelis to carry guns after two separate attacks by Palestinians in Jerusalem in the past two days.

The attacks occurred after the Israeli army invaded the occupied West Bank and killed nine people.

The new measures also include denying the family members of a person who will be found attacking the right of residence and social protection.

The cabinet is expected to confirm the measures today Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised to respond to the strikes again "immediately" ahead of a meeting of the security cabinet.

The Israeli army also said it would increase the number of troops in the West Bank. "When civilians have guns, they can protect themselves," controversial far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told reporters outside a Jerusalem hospital.

The measures will remove the social security rights of "families of terrorists who support terrorism", the security cabinet said.

The proposals are in line with those of Mr Netanyahu's far-right political allies, who allowed him to return to power last month.

The announcement came after Israeli police said a 13-year-old Palestinian boy was responsible for a shooting in the Silwan neighborhood of Jerusalem on Saturday that left an Israeli father and son seriously injured.

A spokesman for Israel's police force earlier said the attacker ambushed five people on their way to prayer, leaving two in a "critical condition".

The assailant was shot dead at the scene. The man responsible for Friday's attack on the house of worship was identified by the media as a Palestinian from East Jerusalem. The police have arrested 42 people in connection with the attack.