reservist

In the past week, Israeli military reservists and veterans have signed several open letters condemning the ongoing war and questioning its priorities.

The camp targeted in the assault was housing reservists - local volunteers who assist the regular police in securing remote areas.

However, a BBC journalist near the Israel Gaza border today was told by a soldier that a call has gone out for 40,000 reservists to the Israeli army to present for duty.

"We're talking about the need to have an army of half a million in Poland, including the reservists," he said.

In the second stage, the remaining hostages - soldiers and reservists - would be released, in return for a number of Palestinian prisoners.