More Israeli recruits seeking to join combat units

The Gaza war has spurred more Israeli recruits to request service in combat units, the country’s army said.

According to figures released Sunday by the Israel Defense Forces, requests to join combat units have increased by 6 percent in this November’s draft over last year’s.

Some 73.7 percent of all recruits this year requested to serve in combat units, compared to 67.2 percent last year.

Seven recruits are competing for every spot in the highly sought-after Golani infantry brigade.

Recruits are more interested in combat units because of last winter’s Gaza war, the IDF told Ha’aretz.