Israel’s military has proposed increasing the mandatory enlistment and reserve service commitments. The proposed changes include lengthening the required military service from 32 months to 36 months for men and certain women. It also includes increasing the required days of reserve service and extending the maximum age of soldiers and officers in the reserves. The changes require approval by parliament. Since the outbreak of war four months ago, Israel has called up at least 287,000 reservists.
The Gaza war began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians. Militants also seized around 250 hostages, with 132 remaining in Gaza, and 29 believed to have died. Israel launched air strikes and a ground offensive that has resulted in the deaths of at least 27,708 people, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
These proposed changes come after the military had previously reduced mandatory service for most male citizens from 36 months to 32 months in 2015, with further scalebacks planned for 2024.
