A recent report by Haaretz revealed that dozens of reserve soldiers in Israel have refused to return to fighting in Gaza, risking punishment. Additionally, it was uncovered that hundreds of reserve soldiers leave the country without notifying their commanders every month.
Israeli Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karhi, emphasized the vital role of reserve soldiers in combat efforts and warned about the impact of their demobilization on the army’s operational efficiency. In response, the Knesset approved the first reading of a draft bill to temporarily raise the age of exemption from army reserve service.
The proposed legislation aims to extend the service period for reserve soldiers up to the age of 41 and for reserve officers up to 46. Certain professions, including combat doctors, paramedics, and technicians specified by the defense minister, would see their service extended up to age 50.
The bill, if passed in three readings, would be applicable until September 30. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant initially sought to extend the law by six months but reached a compromise to extend it by three months after criticism from the government’s legal adviser.
\
[ad_2]
Source link
