The Israeli army is creating a new division for retired reservists to meet “an urgent need to increase troop numbers.”
Israel Army Radio reporter Doron Kadosh posted on social network X that the division will consist of five brigades and will include Israeli citizens who were previously exempted from military service.
Israeli army chief of staff Herzi Halevi recently said that recruiting Orthodox Jews of military age is “a clear necessity.” For decades, Orthodox Jews in Israel have been exempt from mandatory military service.
Previously, the Israeli government also supported a draft law that would extend the retirement age for reservists.
More than a week after the Hamas movement's surprise border incursion on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government approved the mobilization of 360,000 reserve troops.
In another development, the Israeli military warned on June 16 that increased cross-border fire from Hezbollah in Lebanon targeting Israel could lead to a serious escalation.
“The increased aggression by Hezbollah is bringing us to the brink of a broader escalation that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region,” said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.