Around 360,000 reservists, some even on their honeymoon, have been called up by the Israeli Government to fight against Hamas after the unprecedented attack on October 7 that cost the lives of 1,400 people.. Israel's response to the Gaza Strip now exceeds 5,000 fatalities, according to data from the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Among the numerous reservists there are cases of people who lived outside of Israel and who have had to take a flight back to their native country to lend a hand in the armed struggle, leaving their homes and families behind.
According to the British press, some soldiers have complained that President Benjamin Netanyahu's son, Yair, 32 years old and resident in Miami since last April, has not returned to Israel to join the Army and remains in Florida.
“Yair is enjoying his life in Miami Beach while I am on the front,” a volunteer soldier serving on Israel's northern front told The Times.. “We are the ones who left our jobs, our families, our children, to protect our families at home and in the country, not the people responsible for this situation. Our brothers, our parents and children go to the front, but Yair has not yet is here. “It doesn't help build confidence in the country's leadership,” he added.
Another testimony, deployed on the border with Gaza, lamented: “I have returned from the United States, where I have a job, a life, my family. There is no way I can stay there and abandon my country, my people, at this moment.” critical. Where is the prime minister's son? Why is he not in Israel? “It is the most unified moment for us as Israelis in our recent history and each and every one of us should be here right now, including the prime minister's son.”
Military service is mandatory for most Israelis when they turn 18. Men must serve 32 months and women 24. After this, most of them can be called up to reserve units up to the age of 40, or even older, in the event of a national emergency, and fight alongside regular troops in wartime. Reservists are also used in non-combat roles.
According to Daily Mail, Israelis living abroad are organizing themselves in WhatsApp groups to manage their return and find available flights, said Yedidya Shalman, 26, who was in Thailand on her honeymoon when the attack occurred. Hamas and war broke out in Gaza.