The Israel Defense Forces has begun the process of calling up three divisions of soldiers for reserve duty. Approval for the mass draft was given by the country’s government during an emergency session on Thursday. Not all the soldiers will travel to the front line immediately. The idea is to afford Israel the opportunity to maintain a strong military option should the need arise on the border with Lebanon, said the IDF’s Chief of Staff Dan Halutz. Evidence on the ground on Thursday suggested the IDF is likely to use more aerial and artillery fire across southern Lebanon before committing further ground troops. This follows considerable casualties in fighting with Hizbullah forces on Wednesday.