From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Government raises cap on number of reservists IDF can draft to 350,000
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
As tensions ramp up along the northern border, the government raises the number of reservists the IDF is authorized to call up in case of need from 300,000 to 350,000.
According to a copy of the decision published by Army Radio’s Shahar Glick, the decision will remain in effect until August 1.
In a statement delivered at the Lebanese border this morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel is “prepared for an extremely powerful action in the north.” Yesterday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said that Israel is close to making a decision regarding Hezbollah’s daily attacks on northern Israel amid the Gaza war.
Large blazes broke out in northern Israel earlier this week, some of which were sparked by Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks, prompting calls for military action by some members of the coalition and generating concerns that Israel may soon find itself engaged in ground operations on two fronts.
Amid the war in the Gaza Strip, the IDF called up a total of 287,000 reservists, many of whom have already been released from duty for now. It marked the largest-ever call-up of reservists in Israel’s history.
