Israeli army at risk of 'collapse from within' amid manpower crisis: Army chief
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the army chief warned that reserve forces “will not hold up”.
Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has warned that the army is at risk of "collapse from within" due to growing pressure from the ongoing war on multiple fronts, including Iran and Hezbollah.
Speaking during a security cabinet meeting, Zamir said the military is facing a deepening internal crisis, particularly because of severe manpower shortages, reports the Middle East Monitor.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, the army chief warned that reserve forces "will not hold up" and criticised the government for failing to address structural issues such as the conscription of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews, amendments to the reserve law and the extension of mandatory military service.
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"I am raising 10 red flags," Zamir was quoted as saying, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
He also noted that the Israeli military is currently operating on multiple active fronts, including the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank, while the need for troops continues to rise.
Zamir further warned that increasing violence in the West Bank has forced the army to deploy additional units there, adding more pressure on already overstretched personnel.
He said the government has yet to pass key legislation needed to ease the crisis, which is further increasing the burden on the existing forces.
In a stark assessment, the army chief said the military may soon be unable to carry out its missions even under normal conditions if the current situation continues, warning that the pressure could lead to a serious decline in Israel's military readiness.
