The IDF is evaluating tonight (Wednesday) the dimensions of the army's competence in light of the judicial reform. After determining that a certain amount of harm has been caused to the army's cohesiveness due to hundreds of officers refusing to serve out of disagreement with the government's proposed reforms, officials say the situation remains under control.

Military officials stated that despite the talks about refusal to serve, there haven't actually been any cases of soldiers not showing up for service. These threats, however, have caused great concern among the top brass of the IDF.

The Chief of Staff told Defense Minister Gallant that hundreds of staff have thus far reported that they will not show up for service, but noted that the IDF remains fully fit for war.

In addition, talks were held with officers who expressed a desire to stop voluntary post-army service and they were asked to talk to their commanders in case of dilemmas. Only about 90 of the 160 air force pilots who threatened to quit the army said they would do so immediately.

The army emphasized that there are currently no significant threats to its cohesion - even among soldiers in regular service. The issue has the IDF worried, however. There are fears that the protest movement could develop into a larger incident. The Chief of Staff instructed army commanders to tell soldiers that it is their duty to remain within the ranks of the IDF.

Earlier, Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi attended a joint exercise of Unit 669 and "Yas'ur" helicopters. Afterwards, Halevi held an official discussion with the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force and others, during which he expressed his gratitude for their work and operational performances.

“The IDF is currently engaged in preserving its capabilities and unity, even when there is tension between the two. It does so through internal and external discourse with its people and by precisely monitoring and assessing its capabilities. There is no other way," Halevi was quoted as saying.

"The IDF faces operational challenges on a night-to-night basis. The current state of security obliges us to operate every single day, in every arena, as well as ready the IDF for the next war. The Israeli Air Force is required to utilize its operational capabilities every day in a precise and professional manner in the face of security challenges.

"These security challenges set an operational reality that requires the cohesion of active duty forces and reservists, who constitute an inseparable part of the IDF. The IDF was founded on the basis of its reserve forces. They are Israel’s best and we cherish them. Without them, the model of the ‘people’s army’ would not have held over the past 75 years. The contract between us acts as the State of Israel’s insurance. The calls for not showing up to reserve service harm the IDF.

"The achievements of the Air Force in recent months have been remarkably significant and I appreciate them greatly. The commanders and soldiers in the Air Force, as with the rest of the IDF, do everything in their power to provide security to the State of Israel while preserving capabilities and unity. I see in this visit the attention to the quality of the people, both in active and reserve duty, in the cockpit and under the wing, technicians and intelligence personnel. This network serves as both an example and a blueprint in the State of Israel for how complex problems and tasks can be handled effectively and successfully, even when there is a high risk involved.

"I would like to use this visit as an opportunity to tell you that I trust the Israeli Air Force. More than that, I have faith in its abilities and qualities, which are based on the dedicated and professional individuals who risk their lives to fulfill the mission of security," Halevi concluded.