Signed emergency orders: Halutz (L) and Peretz
Photo: Amir Cohen
IDF activity in Gaza
Photo: Reuters
Dozens of IDF reserve soldiers recruited
Chief of Staff Dan Halutz signs emergency order permitting limited recruitment of non-combat reserve soldiers to support units participating in Gaza offensive. Reservist: I realize the importance of the army reserves, but it came down on me in the middle of life
The IDF announced at the outset of Israel’s offensive in Gaza that it was not limited in time, and on Friday army reserve soldiers were called in to join the effort: Ynet has learned that Chief of Staff Dan Halutz signed an emergency order last Thursday permitting the immediate recruitment of a limited number of reserve soldiers to support units participating in the operation.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz added his signature on Friday, and liaison officers promptly began placing calls to reservists, ordering them to report for duty starting next week.
IDF tanks in Gaza (Photo: AP)
At this stage only a small number of reserve soldiers, mainly from supporting, non-combat units, have been recruited.
“Naturally, as the IDF is focusing its efforts on long-term fighting, we are in need of depth, and therefore we are calling all those who are needed to duty,” an army official told Ynet.
The reserve soldiers will initially serve for an 8-10 day period, but it may be extended according to the IDF’s needs.
'No plans for wide-scale recruitment'
One of the reserve soldiers recruited, an armored vehicle technician, said he was surprised to receive the phone call on Friday night.
“At around 6 p.m. a liaison officer called me and told me that the defense minister has signed a special order and that I must report for duty on Monday,” he said. “I was very surprised, but I understood it was related to the activity in Gaza. I realize the importance of the army reserves, but it came down on me in the middle of life.”
At this stage only a small number of reservists, mainly technicians, have been recruited to tend to the many armored vehicles being used in the Gaza operation.
In addition, a number of Israel Air Force reservists have also been called in; these are mainly intelligence unit soldiers or operators of unmanned planes.
The IDF official told Ynet that currently there are no plans for wide-scale recruitment of combat soldiers.
“Should the operation continue, it is possible that reservists will be called to replace the soldiers stationed in different fronts,” he said, “but this is not on the agenda at present time.
The official added that in case of escalation on another front, such as the northern border, the army may consider wide-scale recruitment of reserve soldiers.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Office said “in light of the IDF’s activity it was decided to recruit a limited number of reservists from different fields as part of our readiness in the framework of operation “Summer Rains”.
