Israel's security cabinet has approved measures to make it easier for Israelis to carry weapons, following two separate attacks by Palestinians in Jerusalem this week, the BBC reports, adding that the full cabinet will consider the proposed measures on Sunday.

"When civilians have weapons, they can defend themselves," controversial far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told reporters outside a Jerusalem hospital.

The new measures include the deprivation of the right of residence and social security of the attacker's family members.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a "strong" and "swift" response at a security cabinet meeting. "Our response will be strong, swift and precise," Netanyahu said. "We don't want escalation, but we are ready for any scenario."

The proposals are in line with those of Netanyahu's far-right political allies, who helped him return to power last month. The Israeli army has announced that additional troops will be deployed in the occupied West Bank.

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

Tensions are high after nine Palestinians – both militants and civilians – were killed during an Israeli military strike in Jenin in the occupied West Bank on Thursday. This was followed by an Israeli rocket fire from Gaza, to which Israel responded with airstrikes.

Since the beginning of January, 30 Palestinians - militants and civilians - have been killed in the West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended security cooperation agreements with Israel after Thursday's Jenin raid.