Katz says he told IDF not to reduce reservists in Gaza border town defense squads

By Emanuel Fabian

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5 August 2026, 3:39 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at a pilots' graduation ceremony at the Hatzerim Airbase, July 9, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Defense Minister Israel Katz says he has instructed the army not to carry out a planned reduction in the number of active duty reservists in the Gaza border communities’ civil defense squads.

The IDF has sought to release from reserve duty members of local security teams on all fronts, as their service is superfluous and costly.

The military has two divisions operating in Gaza, and the civil defense squads in the border communities remain armed even outside of active reserve duty.

Katz says the IDF will not carry out any further reduction in forces until it’s been decided otherwise, “in order to preserve the residents’ sense of security.”