To confront Hamas’ multi-pronged attack, Israel has recruited 3 lakh reservists, along with the combined strength of its military and air force, to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stated goal of reducing Gaza to ruins. Since Saturday’s surprise invasion, Israeli planes have continued to bomb Gaza, while ground soldiers have fought fierce battles to retake border towns and villages captured by Hamas terrorists. The huge mobilization signals that a ground assault on Gaza is being planned. However, no such intentions have been verified by Israeli officials.
In Israel, all citizens above the age of 18, regardless of gender or ethnicity, are required to serve in the military during times of war
“We are now carrying out searches in all of the communities and clearing the area,” Israel’s chief military spokesperson Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari said.”We have never drafted so many reservists on such a scale. We are going on the offensive.”
In Israel, all citizens above the age of 18, regardless of gender or ethnicity, are required to serve in the military during times of war. Both men and women must serve for a minimum of 24 to 32 months. Religious women, married people, and people with mental or physical disabilities are exempt from this obligation. Given its history of being surrounded by potentially hostile countries with far larger populations, Israel has created a system for rapidly mobilizing huge numbers of battle-ready forces in the event of an emergency.
Israel’s military reserve system requires almost all active duty personnel to transition to the reserves after completing their regular service
As a result, Israeli planners have always regarded reservists as critical fighting troops for any major operation, rather than as supplementary forces. The majority of Israeli citizens who complete their mandatory military service are required to participate in annual reserve duty; however, individuals who served in elite units, such as pilots, are encouraged to opt for additional reserve duty. Actors, journalists, and people from all walks of life are among those who have been deployed. Hananya Naftali, a well-known Israeli reporter, announced on social media that he was joining 3 lakh other reservists in the war against Hamas. “We are deployed not only to defend our borders but also to protect our homes and families.” “This is a battle between good and evil,” Mr Naftali wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Lior Raz, an Israeli actor best known for his role in the massively popular TV series ‘Fauda,’ has joined the volunteer group Brothers in Arms on the front lines of Israel’s war against Hamas. The actor took to social media from the southern Israeli town of Sderot to upload a video of himself with Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, and journalist Avi Yissascharov. The males can be seen in the footage witnessing a Hamas rocket attack on Israel. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) released photographs on social media of reservists bidding goodbye to their families before heading to the frontlines.
“This is only one father out of thousands of parents who have had to say goodbye to their children, as 300,000 Israelis report for reserve duty. The IDF and the people of Israel will stand strong and united in the face of any threat,” the IDF shared with a photograph of a man bidding his child goodbye. Israel’s military reserve system requires almost all active duty personnel to transition to the reserves after completing their regular service.
