Israel Mobilizes 100,000 Reservists Amid Escalation With Iran in Late February 2026

In late February 2026, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mobilized approximately 100,000 reservists as part of a major military escalation linked to rising tensions with Iran. The large-scale call-up occurred just days before the launch of a joint United States–Israel strike campaign against Iranian military infrastructure on 28/02/2026. The mobilization significantly expanded Israel’s active military capacity, adding to an estimated 50,000 personnel already on active duty. The mobilization affected several branches of the Israeli military. According to Israeli defense reporting, the call-up included reservists assigned to the Israeli Air Force, the Intelligence Directorate, the Israeli Navy, and the Home Front Command. The Home Front Command was given a particularly important role in preparing for potential retaliatory attacks against Israeli cities and infrastructure. Approximately 20,000 reservists were assigned to this command, focusing on search-and-rescue operations, emergency response, and civil defense coordination in the event of missile strikes. At the same time, Israeli ground forces reinforced defensive positions across multiple borders. Additional troops were deployed along Israel’s frontiers with Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. These deployments were intended to address the possibility of a multi-front confrontation, particularly with regional armed groups aligned with Iran. Israeli officials were particularly concerned about potential attacks by Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based armed group that has previously engaged in cross-border hostilities with Israel. The mobilization took place within the broader context of a military operation known as “Operation Epic Fury.” On 28/02/2026, Israeli and U.S. forces launched coordinated strikes targeting elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile facilities after the expiration of a U.S. ultimatum related to Tehran’s nuclear program. The strikes marked a sharp escalation in tensions that had been building during February amid stalled diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran.