(JNS) The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday announced plans to establish five new reserve brigades, designated as “David Brigades,” following a comprehensive operational review and assessment of the country’s current security needs. They will conduct defensive operations along Israel’s borders.
The new units will recruit reservists aged 38-58 on a voluntary basis, targeting veterans who have aged out of standard reserve service. The recruitment strategy emphasizes geographic proximity, with brigade members being stationed near their homes to enable rapid response to security incidents.
The Ground Training Center is developing specialized programs for the brigades, including urban warfare exercises, combat skill refresher courses and scenario-based training. Command-level personnel will receive additional, specialized instruction.
Data from the first three months of the current conflict with Hamas in a special report by Israel National News on Sunday showed that residents of Religious Zionist communities, particularly in Yehuda and Shomron, served the highest average number of reserve duty days per resident.