There is no escaping the need for additional military reservist call-ups, even though the proposal currently on the table “raises legal challenges,” Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote in an advisory opinion to the government on Sunday.
The government plans to confirm the expanded reserves draft orders as Israel moves toward an expanded military operation and occupation of the Gaza Strip. The draft would be for 430,000 reservists and be in effect until November 30, or about three months from now.
The security situation demands more manpower in the military, the government said, adding that it is aware of the heavy strain on soldiers. The Defense Ministry’s legal adviser said efforts were being made to increase manpower and lessen the load on the soldiers.
The controversial move comes in the wake of the dire humanitarian situation in the enclave, soldiers and reservists who are struggling while serving, and legislative attempts to pass a draft law that would exempt eligible haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men from service. A bill for the latter is being prepared for second and third readings in the Knesset.
What did the emergency draft order involve?
The first draft call-up in October 2023 was for 360,000 reservists. The emergency order was extended several times until the original one had expired.
The next one came in February 2024, for 300,000 reservists. It remained in effect until June 30, 2024. That May, the IDF said it had maxed out the number of reservists it could call up under those orders.
There was then another order to expand draft call-ups of up to 350,000 soldiers until August 31, 2024, another for an identical amount until December 1, 2024, and another one for 320,000 soldiers until March 2, 2025.
The next order for 400,000 soldiers was valid until May 29. The final order for 450,000 soldiers is valid until August 31.