Reservists

A group of 117 IDF reservists with PTSD are battling a new military policy that automatically freezes their service, demanding individual assessments to return to combat.

As the new academic year opens in Israel, student union head Sivan Koren highlights the heavy toll of reserve duty, soaring living costs, and a looming brain drain, with a third of students considering relocation.

The Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court ordered Technoso Control Systems to pay 509,000 shekels to CTO Erez Cohen, whose salary was withheld while he served in IDF reserve duty.

Bereaved families and reservists launched the Zionist Conscription Charter on Tuesday, demanding the next government commit to equal IDF recruitment amid severe manpower shortages.

Israeli NGOs warned of a soaring demand for combat processing expeditions and severe funding shortages for reservists facing psychological distress after three years of war.

Two Israeli reservists launched Roomers, a free platform solving Tel Aviv's chaotic sublet market by connecting apartment seekers and owners directly.

The IDF plans to reduce reserve forces in Gaza border communities following the upcoming October elections, leaving defense beyond 4 kilometers largely to local standby squads.

The Israel Land Authority allocated 51 heavily discounted plots in Mitzpe Ramon's Maof neighborhood primarily to IDF combat reservists. While land costs drop to 20,000 NIS, total construction expenses for oversized homes approach 3 million NIS.

Naftali Bennett unveiled a sweeping political platform promising substantial housing and daycare benefits for IDF reservists while cutting state funding for ultra-Orthodox draft evaders.

A new Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute report reveals that three years of war have severely impacted young Israelis, with over 35% delaying or canceling studies and 61% facing employment disruptions.

The Masiatech association helps IDF reservists returning from combat reintegrate into the high-tech job market through 360-degree mentoring by industry leaders.

Partner communications hosted a special broadcast dedicated to October 7 memorial stories, highlighting reservists' mental struggles, PTSD, and the vital need for accessible psychological support.

A Haifa labor court ordered a company to pay 140,000 NIS to an employee fired shortly after taking leave to care for her children during her husband's reserve duty.

IDF reservists in northern Israel expressed frustration online after base stores refused to accept their state-issued 'Fighter' benefit cards due to strict Ministry of Defense retail category regulations.

Three years of multi-front war have pushed Israel's defense budget to 540 billion shekels, straining reserve forces and highlighting severe personnel shortages as military expenditures continue to soar.

Three years after October 7, the IDF has overhauled its defense doctrine, increasing alert forces up to sixfold and implementing proactive security measures across all borders.

Three years after October 7, thousands of IDF reservists suffer from unaddressed combat stress. Three NGOs are calling on the state to establish a national support standard for returning soldiers.

The Toto Reservists League brings hundreds of Israeli reservists from the battlefield to the soccer pitch, offering a therapeutic sports framework to maintain military bonds.

Three years into the war, ERAN hotlines report over 928,000 psychological support requests. Data highlights a sharp rise in loneliness and an alarming increase in suicidal thoughts among youth.

A significant gap between promised defense and reality has emerged in Gaza envelope communities, as security coordinators report acute troop shortages amid IDF budget constraints and unapproved reserve attachments.

Former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi revealed he urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss reservists refusing duty, a proposal Netanyahu rejected, warning of severe fallout.

A National Insurance Institute report reveals that Israel spent tens of billions on the civilian toll of the war, highlighting 58 billion in reservist pay and a surge in mental health disabilities.

The Israeli government has approved extending reserve recruitment frameworks under Order 8 and the detention of unlawful combatants through November 30, reducing the reserve cap to 200,000.

Grandson Zviiki Weil launched "Grandma's Wheels," an initiative providing cars for reservists at 25 shekels per day to help families during reserve duty.

The Ministry of Construction and Housing temporarily closed the "Apartment on Discount" portal to adjust participant filters, prioritizing IDF reservists with a 75% quota for upcoming 2027 housing lotteries.

The Israel Land Authority approved an exemption from construction extension fees for combat reservists in 2026, saving soldiers tens of thousands of shekels for delays caused by military service.

Israel launches a financial reimbursement program of up to 2,000 shekels for IDF reservist families covering children's Sukkot camps, easing holiday childcare expenses.

The Israeli government is set to approve up to 200,000 reserve mobilization slots amid rising security tensions. Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning regarding potential abductions.

Reserve families in Israel face profound loneliness, burnout, and psychological toll nearly three years into the ongoing war, as communities and social organizations struggle to cope.

Carmeli Brigade reservists training for the Syrian border face sudden personnel cuts days before deployment, increasing the operational burden on remaining troops.

Bank Leumi and partners launch a new multi-million NIS fund offering subsidized 40,000 NIS loans at 2% interest for eligible IDF reservists.

A Ministry of Construction and Housing report for 2025 shows public housing inventory grew to 47,299 units, halting a decade-long decline, while over 106,000 households received rent subsidies.

Data shows over 1.2 billion shekels in donations have been given to the IDF since October 7. The funds provided critical equipment, infrastructure, and soldier welfare amidst ongoing budget disputes.

IDF reservists training at the Lachish base report severe sanitation issues, broken infrastructure, water shortages, and poor living conditions, prompting calls for immediate upgrades.

Reservists from Force 100 gave a victory interview following the complete dismissal of their indictments, detailing their ordeal and launching legal action against Channel 12 and the former Military Advocate General.

The IDF has unveiled new physical fitness standards for reservists, including mandatory pre-deployment running, shooting under stress, and tactical marches.

A former Maccabi regional laboratory manager is suing the health fund for 446,000 shekels, alleging wrongful termination during reserve duty after refusing to switch his medical insurance.

Months after discharge, tens of thousands of Israeli reservists face unexpected debts up to 30,000 NIS due to Bituach Leumi payment errors, sparking widespread outrage and financial distress.

At a special tribute ceremony, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called for an expansion of the reserve pool. He emphasized that the IDF has shifted to a strategy of preemptive threat elimination amid a prolonged multi-front campaign.

If you are a combat soldier, you will likely be able to win land in the south at an attractive price with relatively low development costs. The big question: which reservists can win the land?

The IDF has concluded its investigation into an incident where a reserve commander helped rioters complete a minyan while they besieged a Palestinian home. The officer has been removed from his command position but will remain in the army, while his soldiers will face no disciplinary action.

The "Household Economy" grant for active reservists is paid annually, and in 2026 some eligible individuals may receive an additional amount of up to 1,250 shekels. The money is transferred directly to the bank account, with no need to submit an application.

The "Magen Natua" post, established after the war to provide an immediate response to infiltration, remained empty due to a shortage of manpower - but the lights in it continue to burn. "They simply left this post empty and gave the feeling that it was full," said Yoav Cohen, chairman of the moshav committee. "It feels like a fraud. Disappointing, worrying and humiliating."

A tender in Kfar Tavor intended to provide reservists with land at affordable prices has seen low turnout. Despite the state offering land for free, high development costs pushed the total price to over 1.8 million shekels, leading to the disqualification of several bids.

For thousands of families in Israel, the start of the school year comes again this year in the shadow of prolonged reserve duty. While other parents accompany their children to kindergarten and first grade, there are those who are forced to say goodbye again and head to Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank. For 6.5-year-old Ivri, who will start first grade today, his father will be able to be there...

Two days before the start of an operational driving course, female combat soldiers were informed it is now intended for "men only." One soldier whose participation was cancelled called the decision outrageous, noting that women were actively recruited during the war when their skills were needed.

In the latest episode of "MasterChef", Nissim Zalait, who has served hundreds of days in the reserves since October 7, returned to a story about his best friend from his unit. "The sergeant told us: 'From now on you walk hand in hand. If I see that you went to the bathroom alone, you will get a month of confinement'."

10 families of reserve soldiers are in the process of moving to Holit, Kerem Shalom, and Sufa. As part of the "Homes for Fighters" pilot, the families will receive a grant of $100,000 to purchase a home in the kibbutz, subject to their acceptance as members.

This summer, about 300 additional teenagers are participating in Jewish summer camps as part of a first-of-its-kind resilience program. The format provides a unique experience for the children of reservists, including those who lost family members in the "Iron Swords" war: "This is the power of the Jewish people as a human network that crosses borders."

According to the Ministry of Finance's chief economist, the economic cost of reserve duty has surged: about 39,000 shekels per month for men aged 22–30, and about 68,000 shekels for those aged 31–39.