More troops called up
Photo: AP
Cabinet approves mass reserve call-up
Tens of thousands of IDF reservists to be called up as ground operation gets underway
Massive call-up approved: The National Security Cabinet has approved the emergency call-up of tens of thousands of reserve soldiers in order to prepare for the next phase of operation Cast Lead.
Friday's cabinet session featured a discussion of the next stages in the IDF operation. In line with the orders, the IDF has started calling up thousands of reservists using emergency call-up orders.
The reserve call-up is aimed at enabling the IDF to expand its Gaza operation if necessary. Reserve troops have started arriving at their bases Saturday night and will continue to report for duty Sunday.
In addition to approving the call-up, the cabinet also ordered the IDF to continue the operation and move on to the ground incursion phase. The ground invasion is aimed at promoting the objectives set by the government for the entire operation, including the delivery of a grave blow to Hamas' terror infrastructure and a change of the security realities faced by southern residents.
Among other things, IDF troops are expected to take over areas used as launch sites for rockets fired at Sderot, Ashkelon and Ashdod in recent weeks.
The Security Cabinet left the timing of the ground incursion up to defense officials. An announcement regarding the cabinet's decision was relayed to the Knesset's Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, and also to Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
