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Israel summons hundreds of school teachers to fight in Gaza, Lebanon

November 8, 2024 at 11:34 am

Israel continues to deploy soldiers, tanks, military aircraft and armored vehicles near the Gaza Border as Israeli attacks continue on Gaza on May 1, 2024. [Mostafa Alkharouf – Anadolu Agency]

The Israeli occupation army has in recent months summoned hundreds of school teachers to fight in Gaza and Lebanon as it grapples with a significant shortage of soldiers and officers, Israel’s Ynet News site reported.

An article from Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday 4 highlighted the army’s urgent need for 7,000 recruits amid a concerning enlistment crisis, which has seen a one per cent annual decline in the number of male soldiers. The mobilisation of teachers has led to considerable disruption within Israel, resulting in class cancellations and empty classrooms.

To mitigate the impact on education, schools have reached out to retired teachers, parents and recent university graduates, appealing for their assistance in filling the gaps left behind.

Rabbi Rafi Maimon, principal of AMIT Hammer Rehovot High School for Boys, said: “Many of our most qualified have been called up, and we are striving to support our administrators in this challenging time. That’s why we are turning to retired teachers, parents, and university graduates who can dedicate a few hours to substitute for those on the front lines.”

Maimon emphasised the critical role teachers play, stating: “We are facing a major challenge, and the army must recognise that teachers are essential. For over a year, students have been navigating an unstable educational environment.”

Read: Another Israeli officer succumbs to injuries sustained in southern Lebanon