The July draft for IDF field units is set to begin this Sunday, with hundreds of new recruits expected to join on each day of the two-week draft. The annual large summer draft for all IDF units began on July 9 and will end on Aug. 17. IDF figures for this year's summer draft show that 58% of new recruits are men and 42% are women. About 8% are over the age of 20. The oldest new recruit is 28. More than 10% of the new recruits in the current draft were born outside Israel. A total of 379 recruits are enlisting as lone soldiers, which means they have no immediate family in Israel and are entitled to special benefits. A further 325 recruits are new immigrants who arrived in Israel after age 16. Among new immigrant recruits in the current draft, the largest numbers hail from France (93), Ukraine (62), Russia (52), the U.S. (41), and Ethiopia (38). The most common first name among female recruits this summer is Eden, followed by Yuval, Noa, Shir, Adi, Tal, Amit, Maya, Shachar, and May. The most common first name for male recruits is Daniel, followed by Yuval, Amit, Omer, Roi, Tomer, Itai, Matan, David, and Or. The IDF said in a statement that "the upcoming drafts prove that the IDF is a people's army in which boys and girls from all sectors of Israeli society enlist. They are headed for combat field units, combat support roles, and other branches. Every recruit has an opportunity to serve in an important role that makes a contribution."
