TEL AVIV Ñ Israel has mobilized thousands of additional soldiers as
the nation's military's chief has warned that it must prepare for war.
Israeli officials said the military has started calling up reservists
for a 30-day stint in the West Bank. They said parliament would have to
approve the number and length of the mobilization.
The fresh troops would be required to man positions in West Bank cities
taken over by Israel over the last few weeks. Israel's military has captured
seven of the eight cities in the region, the exception being Jericho.
Outgoing Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Shaul Mofaz said the military must
prepare for a two-front war. This includes the insurgency war with the
Palestinian Authority as well as a confrontration along the northern border
with Lebanon.
"We have to plan war as if it is inevitable," Mofaz told a parliamentary
committee on Tuesday.
Israeli officials said the military also wants to order additional
weapons and supplies, mostly from local industries. The officials said the
orders to Israeli defense contractors would prevent any damage from the
prospect of a European arms embargo.
Germany has delayed shipment of engine and transmission parts for the
Merkava Mk-4 tank. Britain, France and several other European Union
countries are said to have delayed shipments of ammunition and components.
Officials said even orders from the United States are being delayed.
They attributed this to production woes associated with the U.S.-led war in
Afghanistan.
Israel is looking to replenish its stock of anti-tank missiles. The
Defense Ministry is said to be considering purchasing the NTD anti-tank
missile by Rafael, Israel Armaments Development Authority. Last month, the
United States approved an Israeli request for more than 2,000 TOW 2A
missiles produced by Raytheon.
