JERUSALEM, May 18 (UPI) -- The Israeli military announced it arrested 474 alleged deserters and draft dodgers in six days, in the largest manhunt of its kind.
The military's Manpower Directorate called the operation a success, Ynetnews reported.
The military said of the 474 arrested, 218 were deserters and 62 were draft dodgers who were apprehended by military police. The remaining 200 turned in themselves.
The number of known deserters is now 2,410, while there are a total of 1,739 draft dodgers, the report said.
Of the 1,739 draft dodgers, 650 are women. Of the 2,410 deserters, 800 are women.
Most of those arrested, about 75 percent, have already been charged. They will face several weeks of detention, after which most will be required to resume service, Ynetnews said. The offense will be recorded on their criminal records.
Ynetnews reported the military released many prisoners a few days earlier in order to clear spots for draft dodgers and deserters.
