Israeli Army Faces Unprecedented Manpower Shortage Amid Gaza War Strain
An Israeli newspaper has reported a deepening crisis in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) due to an unprecedented manpower shortage, exacerbated by a surge in resignation requests from soldiers.
According to the Hebrew-language daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the crisis—which came to light during the protracted conflict in the Gaza Strip—has now reached a “boiling point.” The paper says an increasing number of permanent service soldiers are expected to seek early discharge. Over 500 such requests have reportedly been filed with the IDF General Staff since last year.
These requests are effectively considered resignations, with low wages and extreme physical and psychological stress—particularly during wartime—cited as the main reasons, the report states. Although the army has not approved these resignations so far, it is facing serious challenges in retaining thousands of regular officers.
The report warns that the trend is significantly degrading the quality of the military’s human resources, raising long-term security concerns. A military commander told the newspaper that many young officers, facing worsening retirement terms, prefer to leave early and pursue better-paying civilian careers.
In response, the IDF is reportedly considering extending mandatory military service to three years to offset the personnel deficit. The shortage has worsened due to a high number of casualties, especially in combat units. Current law calls for a reduction in compulsory service in 2027, a move the newspaper says could further widen the manpower gap.
