Women suffering from domestic violence in Israel fear for their safety after the relaxation of gun permit regulations due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, according to media reports. Since the start of the war on October 7, tens of thousands of gun permits have been issued for protection and security reasons. However, for women's groups and victims of domestic violence, this step has made many feel less secure, according to the Times of Israel. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported a "significant increase" in applications for gun permits, totaling around a quarter of a million since the war began. The official body noted that this number "equals the total applications recorded over the past twenty years." It added: "Since the beginning of this month, an average of 1,700 gun permits are being issued daily."