IDF said tightening reservist call-up methods, putting end to social media ads and unit transfers

Amid the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the IDF is reportedly re-regulating its rules for the call-up of reservists, putting an end to several practices that have become commonplace since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.

In the last few days, the IDF’s Personnel Directorate issued new guidelines for recruiting reservists, which will take effect on November 1, the Calcalist financial daily reports.

Among the prohibited practices that were commonplace was the recruitment of reservists by various units using ads on social media. Many reservists would finish their duty in one unit, then move to another to continue serving.

The new guidelines state that recruiting reservists is only permitted through an official military website. This move intends to put an end to reservists being transferred between units without oversight.

Another practice that will be stopped under the new guidelines is the so-called “hybrid service,” where reservists perform their reserve duty while continuing to work at their civilian workplaces, sometimes doing one week on, one week off.

Calcalist reports that the frequent and prolonged waves of reserve call-ups during the war drew criticism from the Finance Ministry, which cited inefficiency and an extensive waste of funds within the IDF.

According to the paper, the direct cost of the war stands at some NIS 220 billion ($67 billion), of which around NIS 70 billion were allocated to fund the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of reservists for extended periods under emergency call-up orders.