One Deployment, Two Annual Totals
The dispute centers on armored Battalion 363. Walla's original report, published on October 21, 2026, described orders for 99 days of reserve service starting November 22, 2026: 40 days in 2026 and 59 in 2027. For a household, that is one continuous absence. An annual eligibility calculation can treat it as two separate periods.
Soldiers' wives wrote to Personnel Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa and Chief Reserve Officer Brig. Gen. Benny Ben Ari. They warned that lengthy service might still leave families below annual thresholds. Some soldiers, they said, were entering a fifth or sixth deployment since the war began.
Which Benefits Are at Issue
The families identified mental health reimbursements, support connected with extended maternity leave, student assistance and vacation vouchers. The reporting describes thresholds of 45 to 50 annual service days for some benefits and at least 60 for others. That does not mean every family will lose every benefit: conditions differ, and earlier service also matters.
The arithmetic illustrates the problem. Forty days plus 59 equals 99, but neither annual total reaches 60. This is an explanation of the potential gap, not an individual eligibility determination. A reservist's position depends on the particular benefit, the complete service record and the rules ultimately approved.
A Resolution Alongside Legislation
In the response published by Walla, the IDF said it and the ministry were completing a draft resolution for government approval. A legislative route is also being pursued. The resolution is intended to provide an earlier response, but its conditions cannot be treated as operative before approval.
The military said service in both years would be considered under the planned framework. Its response also addressed reservists who had already used benefits for 2026 and eligibility for emotional support. A briefing for commanders and relevant personnel was planned. These are statements supplied to Walla, rather than a published, approved resolution.
Families Seek Certainty Before Service Starts
In the follow up reporting, the soldiers' wives said the response still did not explain what would happen to their 2026 entitlements. They sought protection for both years and assistance during the interim. Their concern therefore involves when support becomes available, as well as how days are eventually counted.
That distinction matters for households arranging employment, childcare and studies during a prolonged deployment. Recognizing service retrospectively is different from making assistance available when an expense arises. The reporting does not establish that every disputed benefit has already been denied or that all families face identical circumstances.
As of October 24, 2026, the reported development is a military commitment to advance a solution, with final approval outstanding. The decisive details will be how days are combined, how each year's rights are protected and when benefits can be used. It would be premature to present the proposal as a new grant already open for applications.
