As Tensions Rise, Israeli Government to Approve Call-Up of 240,000 Reservists

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions on several fronts, the government is expected today (Sunday) to extend the "special situation on the home front" across the entire country through August 11. In addition, the government will approve an extension of the order that allows it to call up as many as 240,000 reserve soldiers.

This order will remain in effect through the end of September, after the Tishrei holidays, and the extension comes in place of the order that had been in effect until now, which allowed the government to mobilize up to 280,000 reservists.

It should be noted that the order permits mobilization, but does not necessarily mean that all of those soldiers will actually be called up. Government officials said that alongside tensions with Iran and operations in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, Judea and Samaria has now also been added to the equation, and security preparations must take that into account.

As previously reported, the defense establishment has recently taken a series of steps to reinforce its forces. These include raising the exemption age for essential professions to 49, calling up tens of thousands of reservists for combat units, and approving a Security Service Law that extends mandatory service to 32 months.