The Israeli army was deploying thousands of reservists to the West Bank and Gaza Strip Sunday after intelligence reports that Palestinian militants were planning more attacks, reports and military sources said.The Israeli media reported that five reserve battalions -- which are each composed of at least 500 troops -- had been called up on the orders of Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz, despite the misgivings of chief of staff General Moshe Yaalon.
According to army radio, the five battalions will be mobilised for three weeks in order to replace regular army units who are due to undergo training.
The move follows a recent increase in warnings of threats against Israeli targets.
A military source confirmed that reservists were being called up but would not give numbers.
"The Israeli army has today mobilised a certain number of reservists for a limited time who will be deployed in the territories," the source told AFP.
All rights reserved. Copyright 2003 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.
Quick Links
SpaceWar
Search SpaceWar
Subscribe To SpaceWar Express