Israeli army cuts drills

Israeli army's Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz has ordered a major reduction in the employment of external advisers, and cancelled all non-operational trips of the army's delegations to militaries abroad on Tuesday. Speaking at the site of an Infantry Corps drill, Gantz said he believes the army is up to the "difficult task" of making budget cuts. The cut has also affected the army's planned drills. 'Defense' Minister Moshe Ya'alon echoed Gantz's sentiment, saying that the army must also pitch in to the nations efforts to reduce the deficit. Speaking to Intelligence Soldiers on Tuesday, Gantz stated: "We're doing so with a heavy heart, grave concern and with the knowledge that we are taking an enormous risk, particularly in light of the complex security situation that will be with us in the coming years." The moves are designed to help the army cope with a 3 billion shekel cut in the defense budget, and come one day after the army announced the dramatic step of ending all operational duties for reserve soldiers for the remainder of this year.