The Israeli military has enlisted the first batch of about 50 recruits into its new ultra-Orthodox brigade after a controversial decision to end their decades-long exemption from service.

Military hails 'significant milestone,' says another 100 older Haredi men join Hasmonean Brigade's first reservist company The post First 50 ultra-Orthodox soldiers drafted to IDF’s new Haredi brigade appeared first on The Times of Israel.

The brigade aims to enable haredi soldiers to serve in combat roles while fully preserving their religious lifestyle and identity.

Gaza’s health ministry said that 88 people had been killed over the past day. Israeli and Hamas officials have been holding indirect cease-fire talks via mediators in Qatar.

Israel's military on Saturday said a hospital director is being held as a suspected Hamas militant after a north Gaza raid the World Health Organization said left the area's last major health facility emptied of patients and staff.

Israel faced mounting pressure Saturday over its detention of Gaza hospital chief Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, during a raid on Kamal Adwan hospital.