Reservists called up
Photo: AP
IDF enlists more reservists
In addition to recruitment of yeshiva students and 3 reserve battalions called in for active duty earlier this week, three more battalions summoned to support IDF forces. Most reservists are to replace active-duty soldiers across Israel, who will be sent north
Friday morning the IDF began calling in reserve soldiers to assist forces already active on the various fronts and to allow active-duty forces to be deployed to the north.
Several infantry and armored corps battalions began calling in reservists via special orders issued Defense Minister Amir Peretz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz.
The IDF is mounting forces on the northern border including artillery, infantry and armored corps units. Most missions in the area, as well as in the Gaza Strip, are performed by soldiers in active duty, thus creating a vacuum in these forces' regular stations.
In addition, IDF head of Personnel Directorate Maj. General Elazar Stern used his authority to release soldiers held in military prisons so that they could return to duty in their units.
Friday's orders signed by Peretz and Halutz supplement orders used to recruit three infantry and engineering corps earlier this week. The reserves enlisted in that call-up were replaces active duty units normally stationed in Judea and Samaria, which were transferred to the Lebanese border.
Several hundred Hesder soldiers (yeshiva students) were also recruited following a day of training and stationed inside Israel, allowing other forces to join the fighting in the north.
