This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The Israeli army said on Tuesday evening that the current situation has become “unbearable” due to a shortage of soldiers, calling for legislation to allow the recruitment of more personnel.
While the army is continuing air strikes on Iran using its aircraft since 28th February, it is also deploying four military divisions to southern Lebanon. It has large forces stationed in the occupied West Bank, in addition to those already operating in the Gaza Strip.
During a press conference, Army spokesman Effie Defrin said that “there is a shortage of soldiers, and the situation has become unbearable for us”, according to Hebrew Channel 12.
He added: “We are facing a shortfall of between 12,000 and 15,000 soldiers, and we need a law that will bring in more troops,” referring to the evasion of military service by Haredi Jews.
Last Wednesday, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned during a closed meeting of the security cabinet that the army could collapse if the manpower shortage crisis is not addressed.
READ: Israel uses “non-designed” air defence systems to intercept Iranian missiles, Hebrew media reports
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- Most Americans want Iran war ended quickly, oppose ground troops: Polls
- Amazon’s cloud operation in Bahrain damaged in Iran strike: Report
- The US offers up to $3M reward for info on attacks targeting diplomatic facilities in Iraq
- US says over 12,300 targets hit in Iran as military operation continues
- Israeli law to execute Palestinian prisoners reflects far-right dominance: Israeli daily
- Trump discusses Iran ceasefire talks with Saudi crown prince: Report
- Iran says US-Israeli attacks ‘amount to genocide’
- Gazans rally to protest Israeli execution law targeting Palestinian prisoners
- Israeli attacks kill 50 more people in Lebanon in past 24 hours: Health Ministry
- Trump claims Iran’s ‘new regime’ president asked US for ceasefire
- UK calls for accountability into 2024 Israeli strike that killed 7 aid workers
- Israeli gov’t primarily responsible for ‘unlawful war’ on Iran: Turkish president
- Iran’s security council approves 6 Bangladeshi fuel ships to pass Strait of Hormuz
- Two Leaders, Two Quagmires
- Iran fires largest missile salvo toward Israel since start of war: Media
- From the Margins to the Middle: Pakistan’s Role in the Iran War
- How Hormuz could become the US and Israel’s Suez | Palestine This Week with Mouin Rabbani
- The killing of three Indonesian soldiers in Lebanon should remind Jakarta that Israel does not want peace
- Energy Diplomacy or Energy Security?
- Turkish intelligence chief meets Hamas negotiation head
- Israeli army warns of imminent crisis over troop shortage
- Pakistan and China put forward five-point plan to ease Middle East tensions
- Lebanon rejects Israeli plans for ‘security zone’ in south
- American journalist kidnapped by gunmen in Baghdad
- Netanyahu claims regional alliance with Arab states reaching “practical stage”
- Gaza ceasefire “formal” as suffering persists, UNRWA chief warns
- FIFA confirms Iran’s participation in 2026 tournament despite tensions
- Drone explodes inside US Diplomatic Support Centre at Baghdad airport
- Israel uses “non-designed” air defence systems to intercept Iranian missiles, Hebrew media reports
- Yedioth Ahronoth: US begins emergency evacuation of 60,000 Americans from Egypt
- Iran’s revolutionary guard threatens to target US firms in retaliation for attacks