The Israeli army began recruiting five reserve battalions Sunday, carrying out a decision made by Israel's Defense Minister Saul Mofaz and approved by Army chief Moshe Ya'alon.
The reservists will replace regular soldiers who left courses and training in order to strengthen forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip due to the high number of "terror alerts", Israel Radio reported Sunday.
Israel's Army spokeswoman Ruth Yaron told Army Radio on Sunday that the call-up is necessary due to "terror attacks that have taken place lately and a recent accumulation of intelligence reports on planned terror attacks."
Meanwhile, however, some army officials slammed the call-up, claiming it was short-sighted, according to Israel Radio. In addition, the Israeli army has also said regular units in the occupied territories are sufficient to handle the situation.
In the meantime, a reservists' rights movement, demanded
Sunday the retraction of the conscription orders and called on Defense Minister Mofaz to resign. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
