Israel’s Military Faces Severe Personnel Shortage, Warns Senior Officer

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a senior official in the Israeli military has warned of a significant personnel deficit that is hampering the army’s ability to meet operational demands, reduce pressure on active-duty forces, and maintain combat readiness. The warning comes as the official is nearing his departure after 33 years of service.

Brigadier General Shai Tayeb, head of the Manpower Planning and Management Division of the Israeli military, previously informed the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of a shortage of around 12,000 military personnel. He cautioned that this number could escalate to 17,000 if military operations continue unabated.

This shortage extends beyond combat units, affecting support services and the need to replace personnel deployed in the field while maintaining operational readiness.

The warning is issued amid ongoing political disputes concerning the conscription law and exemptions for students of Jewish seminaries.

According to the Israeli media outlet Walla, the number of reserve forces in the Israeli military has increased by 36 percent since October 7, 2023. The recruitment of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) individuals has also surpassed 4,000 in the past year. Despite these increases, the figures remain insufficient to meet the army’s needs.