The IDF announced that approximately 400 chareidim have been drafted into the military this week. The new recruits include 196 combat soldiers and 167 soldiers assigned to combat support roles. Another 23 are still awaiting placement. Among the combat troops, 105 have joined the Netzach Yehuda Battalion of the Kfir Brigade—an IDF unit composed of religious soldiers. Others have been assigned to the Chashmonean Brigade (48), the Tomer Company in Givati’s Rotem Battalion (19), the Hetz Company in the Paratroopers’ 202nd Battalion (20), and four to the ground defense unit at Nevatim Airbase. In addition to the newly drafted soldiers, 26 older charedi men joined the reserves after completing the Shlav Bet (“Stage B”) track—an expedited training process for older recruits. These men, together with 100 others, are set to begin six months of intensive combat training next week before being deployed to the Chashmonean Brigade’s reserve unit. The IDF said that it “will continue to work to expand the recruitment of the charedi community, while maintaining their religious lifestyle throughout their service and adjusting the conditions of the service to their needs.” As part of its broader integration campaign, the military has been issuing a total of 24,000 draft orders to eligible charedi men—an initiative that began last summer. According to military data, some 70,000 charedi males are currently eligible for service. In a departure from past policy, the IDF has also begun sending initial draft notices to all Israeli citizens upon turning 16.5, including charedim, who were previously excluded from early-stage conscription procedures. Actual enlistment begins at age 18. Despite growing recruitment efforts, the IDF says it can only absorb an additional 3,000 charedi soldiers this year, due to the need for tailored accommodations. This figure would supplement the roughly 1,800 charedi soldiers who already enlist annually. Military officials say that the IDF currently faces a shortage of 10,000 new soldiers—70 percent of whom are required for combat positions. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)