The Israeli cabinet has decided to call up some 6,700 reserve troops to buildup backup forceless along the border with the Gaza Strip. The decision was made on Sunday upon a request by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak who demanded to operate a national economy emergency system in the Gaza vicinity communities and call up the reserve forces, the Israeli daily I>Yediot Aharonot reported.
Israel's emergency economic system organization is tasked to estimate the army's requirements and manage the economic crisis which is caused by a conflict or when the military recruits a large number of reservists.
The main objective of the National Emergency Economic System (MELACH) is to "provide essential public services", including food medicine and fuel during a war.
The development comes amid speculations that the Israeli military might extend its operation in the Gaza Strip and launch a ground incursion into the region.
"Ahead of the continuance of planned operational activity, we need to draft some 7,000 reserve soldiers with emergency orders," Barak said.
The army has recruited some 2,000 reservists so far and has deployed its tanks and reinforcement troops to a region near the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had earlier said that the war would be "a long and difficult" one which will be "very painful."
Israel launched its bombing campaign against the populated costal region on Saturday. So far, hundreds of people have been killed or injured in the attacks.
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Topic: 6,700 reservists called up by Israel (Read 570 times)