Army reservists will serve shorter periods on active duty than they have since the war in Lebanon began nearly two years ago, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. David Ivri announced today.
He told military correspondents at a briefing that reserve officers will serve for 50 days a year and other ranks 45 days. In some instances during the past two years, reserve officers were called to duty for as long as 2-3 months a year causing considerable strain to the country’s economy.
Ivri also announced that the army is drafting a training program on the premise that the Israel Defense Force will remain in Lebanon at least until the end of this year. If there is a political decision to the contrary, other arrangements will be made, Ivri said.
He disclosed on an Israel Radio interview yesterday that economic constraints will necessitate the dismissal of 700 regular army officers and some 400 civilian employes this year. He said the cuts would affect headquarters staff, not training programs. Current security arrangements on the West Bank and Gaza Strip will remain unchanged, he said.
Meanwhile, the army reported two attempted attacks on IDF personnel in south Lebanon yesterday, neither of which caused casualties. A military spokesman said a rocket-propelled grenade was fired at an IDF position near Maaroub village and an explosive charge was detonated on a roadside near Bourj El-Shamali village as an IDF patrol passed by.
Israeli soldiers searched the surrounding areas after both incidents. The results of the searches were not disclosed.
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