Storyline: Israel is extending its mandatory military service and calling up reservists as its forces are stretched across multiple fronts, leading to questions as to how much longer the country's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community will remain exempt from service. The Israeli military began issuing "tens of thousands" of call-up orders for reservists to intensify its offensive in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, vowing to increase pressure on Hamas to free hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partners have pledged to continue the war until Hamas is defeated, despite mounting public pressure in Israel for a ceasefire agreement that could secure the release of 59 hostages Israel says are still held in Gaza. In addition to mobilizing reservists, the government has also decided to prolong the active duty of current service members. For many Israeli families, that will mean more time away from their loved ones. While those already serving will now have to serve another four months and reservists will face repeated call-ups, tens of thousands of healthy Israelis of military age are not being summoned. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish community is exempt from service, a tradition dating back to the early days of the country when only a few hundred were exempted to focus on religious studies. Their numbers have dramatically increased since then. The exemption is also strongly defended by ultra-Orthodox political parties, which are key allies of Netanyahu's far-right coalition. However, as the burden of inequality has intensified, those who have shouldered the responsibility of military service for years are now questioning whether the situation can continue. Israel ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas in March and resumed its air and ground operations. According to the health authorities in Gaza, more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023. Shotlist: FILE: Israel - Nov 1, 2022: 1. Various of Israeli Parliament Knesset, national flag of Israel Tel Aviv, Israel - May 5, 2025: 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Tzvika, Reserve Sergeant (full name not given): "I can tell you where it leaves my daughter. She was just about to be released from the army after volunteering for an extra eight months, and she will probably have to do another four months." FILE: Tel Aviv, Israel - June 2021: 3. National flag of Israel FILE: Jenin, West Bank - Jan 22, 2025: 4. Israeli military vehicles moving Tel Aviv, Israel - May 5, 2025: 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Amiram Levin, Reserve Major General (partially overlaid with shot 6): "Those who are serving, and now most of them serve more than 300 days a year. More than three quarters of the year they are in the army in Gaza fighting, so it's become an issue." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Gaza City, Gaza Strip - April 4, 2025: 6. Various of burnt car, damaged buildings [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Gaza City, Gaza Strip - April 9, 2025: 7. Ambulance driving through debris-strewn street Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Recent: 8. Various of injured persons being carried to hospital Tel Aviv, Israel - May 5, 2025: 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Tzvika, Reserve Sergeant (full name not given) (partially overlaid with shot 10): "They are patriots and they find it very, very difficult for them to say no. It is against their DNA. But at the end of the day, at one point, they will have no choice but to say enough is enough. And these days, really, we are getting closer and closer to this point and time." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Gaza City, Gaza Strip - April 14, 2025: 10. Various of rubble following Israeli airstrike on hospital [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - April 15, 2025: 11. Various of bombarded buildings, displaced Palestinians fleeing with belongings. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]