Coinciding with the entry of infantry forces into Gaza on motzei Shabbos, Defense Ministry officials permitted reporting that tens of thousands of IDF reservists are being activated throughout the county. Many of the reservists will serve to reinforce the standing army forces that entered Gaza.

The Ministerial Committee has authorized the IDF to prepare for and move into the next phases of the operation, intended to bring a halt to Hamas rocket fire into southern Israel. The minister’s also called for appropriate measures to ensure other borders are not compromised during this difficult time, with the emphasis being on concerns that Hizbullah may opt to take advantage of the war in Gaza to attack northern Israel.

Most of the reservists being called up are combat soldiers, some from the Homefront Command and the remainder support staff including the IDF Rabbinate.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on motzei Shabbos briefed President Shimon Peres, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu.

Senior military officials are remaining quiet, releasing only few select statements, repeating this is a major offensive and “it will be quite painful for Hamas.”

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(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)