Israeli soldiers secure the scene after Palestinian teenager, Qusay Abo al-Rub, was shot and killed when he tried to stab a soldier in the village of Beita, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016 (AP)
The official Israeli army radio channel announced on Tuesday that Israeli forces are now ordered to carry personal weapons while off duty, Gaza-based Palestine Online website reported.
Israeli military chief of staff Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot has "ordered that soldiers carry their weapons even outside of their service," including while going home for leave, an army spokeswoman told AFP.
An Israeli official TV channel explained that the soldiers are also allowed to carry their personal weapons if they take a vacation that lasts up to three days.
The broadcast added that the decision was made following the killing of an Israeli soldier in a stabbing attack in the occupied West Bank last Thursday.
In the most recent cycle of violence that began in early October, Israeli forces have killed over 160 Palestinians, many of whom were unarmed or posed no threat.
Meanwhile, frequent stabbings and car-ramming attacks by Palestinians have killed 25 Israelis and a US citizen.
Israeli occupation soldiers had not previously been allowed to take their guns with them while on leave out of fear they could be stolen or used to commit suicide.
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