From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
IDF launches hotline to provide response to reservists’ claims of missing equipment
Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter
After three days of complaints by army reservists that vital military equipment as well as food and other goods has been lacking, the IDF launches a round-the-clock hotline manned by the technical and logistics branch to provide a response.
Military personnel can contact the hotline via WhatsApp at 052-6156256 to ask about equipment, logistics, food, or anything else that is missing.
Recent days have seen hundreds of thousands of reservists drafted for anticipated large-scale operations against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
Reserve soldiers from all over the country have been taking to social media to complain that they are not properly equipped by the military, with many seeking to privately purchase the required gear.
As the complaints have multiplied, Israelis have set up numerous social media groups and grassroots operations to try to match the needs with local donors and supplies. Offers of supplies and financial assistance have also started coming in from abroad.
Yesterday, the head of the IDF Logistics Directorate, Maj. Gen. Mishel Yanko, told a media briefing that civilians were welcome to donate funds for “treats” via the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, but that the army would supply the necessary equipment.
