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Israel calls up 9,000 reservists to Gaza as part of 'exceptional' mobilization

Units from three brigades are readying plans for a ground incursion, pending approval by Israel's political leaders

Israeli soldiers prepare a 155 mm self-propelled shell to fire toward the Gaza Strip from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 13, 2021. Israel deployed additional troops to Gaza's border as the military conflict with Palestinian Islamists raged on, while inside Israel security forces scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs.
Israeli soldiers prepare a 155 mm self-propelled shell to fire toward the Gaza Strip from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 13, 2021. Israel deployed additional troops to Gaza's border as the military conflict with Palestinian Islamists raged on, while inside Israel security forces scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs. — EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images

Israel’s army is deploying near the border of the Gaza Strip in preparation for a potential ground invasion of the beleaguered Palestinian enclave.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called up an additional 9,000 reserve soldiers on Thursday in what Defense Secretary Benny Gantz called an “exceptional” mobilization.

The force includes units from the 7th Armored Brigade, IDF Paratroopers Brigade and the Golani Infantry Brigade, IDF spokesman Hidai Zilberman said.

The three brigades are now preparing for a potential ground incursion at a division headquarters under Israel’s Southern Command, IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told reporters. The IDF is preparing to present plans for a potential incursion to Israel’s government for approval.

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