The IDF has decided to release all regional defense (Hagmar) troops from reserve duty across all sectors, including the Gaza envelope and Judea and Samaria, as well as hundreds of reservists from brigade and division headquarters operating in Lebanon and Gaza, an Army Radio report says. The move, which sources describe as highly unusual, stems from a budget conflict with the Finance Ministry and is expected to take effect Sunday. Senior military officials told Army Radio that further cuts are likely.
The IDF has ordered the release of all regional defense (Hagmar) troops from reserve duty across the Gaza envelope, Judea and Samaria, and all other sectors — a force numbering thousands, according to an Army Radio report Tuesday morning. The decision also covers hundreds of reservists serving in brigade and division headquarters for the Lebanon and Gaza fronts. The move is described as a direct consequence of a budget dispute with the Finance Ministry, with military officials saying the cuts will not solve the funding gap and that further reductions are expected. The deputy chief of staff is scheduled to hold a wide-ranging discussion on the issue Wednesday.
Army Radio's report notes that the move may be intended to increase pressure on the Finance Ministry amid the budget confrontation, but that current indications point to far-reaching security implications regardless.
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Source and signal
- Internal intake