JERUSALEM
The Israeli cabinet on Thursday approved a request by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon for the mobilization of 10,000 army reservists for its ongoing military offensive against the Gaza Strip.
The fresh troops will be used for both combat and support operations, according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
Israel discharged 27,000 reservists following the withdrawal of ground troops from the Gaza Strip early this month.
Israel has pounded the beleaguered coastal strip since Tuesday following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire with Palestinian factions.
Israel accuses the latter of violating the ceasefire (which expired on midnight Tuesday) – a claim denied by resistance faction Hamas, which in turn accused the self-proclaimed Jewish state of attempting to derail talks in Cairo.
Since hostilities began on July 7, at least 2069 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been killed – the vast majority of them civilians – and more than 10,000 injured by devastating Israeli bombardments.
Over the same period, at least 67 Israelis – 64 soldiers and three civilians – have been killed, according to Israeli figures.
By Anees Barghouthy
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
