Israeli military vehicles drive through the so-called Philadelphi corridor in southern Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Sept 13, 2024. REUTERS/Amir CohenIsraeli military vehicles drive through the so-called Philadelphi corridor in southern Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Sept 13, 2024. A statement from the defence ministry said it would work with community leaders to ensure ultra-Orthodox soldiers could preserve their religious lifestyles while serving. Leaders of the rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox community say that forcing seminary students to serve alongside secular Israelis including women risks destroying their identity as religious Jews. The government faces increasing pressure from Israeli reservists, of which many have served for the majority of the past year, to draft ultra-Orthodox members.
