Israeli Army activates two reserve brigades for combat operations in Gaza
On April 15, 2024,Israel announced the activation of two additional reserve brigades, involving approximately 20,000 soldiers primarily deployed in Gaza, especially for a planned offensive in the southern city of Rafah. This deployment follows the recent withdrawal of most Israeli ground forces from Gaza, reducing troop levels in the region to their lowest in six months. This move comes in response to various escalations, including an unprecedented overnight air attack by Iran on April 13, following Israel's April 1st destruction of its consulate in Damascus.
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Since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, the Israeli military has mobilized between 287,000 and 300,000 reservists (Picture source: IDF )
The Israeli military has stated it intercepted 99% of the projectiles fired during this attack, thanks to its defense system and the support of allies such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, specified that over three hundred projectiles, including one hundred seventy drones, thirty cruise missiles, and one hundred ten ballistic missiles, were fired at Israel.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza is causing growing international concern. More than 1.2 million Palestinians are now concentrated in Rafah, having fled other areas of Gaza under Israeli bombardment. This concentration poses significant humanitarian challenges, as they have nowhere else to seek refuge. In response to the tensions, the Israeli Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, has promised retaliatory measures, and the UN Security Council, including the United States, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom, has urged efforts to prevent regional escalation.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, the Israeli military has called up a significant number of reservists to bolster its forces. Reports indicate that between 287,000 and 300,000 reservists have been mobilized in response to the conflict.
Regarding the total number of military personnel, Israel's defense forces include a mix of active-duty soldiers and reservists. Typically, the active duty component numbers around 170,000 personnel, while the reservists can be called up to a considerable number, particularly in times of heightened security needs. The activation of such a large portion of the reserve forces highlights the scale and seriousness with which Israel is responding to the current security situation.
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