The IDF's Hasmonean Brigade for ultra-Orthodox troops declared its first reserve battalion operational on Tuesday, after the Shimon Reserve Battalion completed its first-ever battalion-level exercise in the Golan Heights last week. The military said the battalion is now established and prepared for operational activity, and is expected to be deployed on the northern front in the coming months. The battalion is composed of Haredi soldiers from the Shlav Bet track and other units.
The Shimon Reserve Battalion is the first reserve unit in the Hasmonean Brigade, an infantry framework established by the IDF to integrate ultra-Orthodox soldiers while maintaining their religious lifestyle. The battalion's soldiers completed full combat training adapted to the Haredi way of life at the brigade's base. The IDF says the battalion will absorb graduates of the brigade's standing service track as well.
As The Zioneer has previously reported, the Hasmonean Brigade has been expanding rapidly: in July, the first Haredi cadets completed the initial officers course; earlier this month, soldiers completed a beret march through Jerusalem. The brigade's standing battalions have already conducted operational missions in southern Syria. The activation of a reserve battalion marks a new phase in integrating Haredi men into the IDF reserve system, many of whom previously received draft exemptions.
2 developments
- ConfirmedFirst Haredi cadets complete initial officers course in Hasmonean Brigade
- StrongHashmonaim Brigade beret march highlights the IDF's growing Haredi combat unit
- DevelopingIDF's Haredi Netzach Yehuda battalion concludes drill ahead of northern sector operations
- DevelopingIDF begins military drill in southern Mount Hebron area
Source and signal
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