The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is facing a significant shortage of soldiers, raising concerns about its ability to maintain operational readiness. According to recently released data, the IDF currently has only 83% of the required combat manpower.
In response to this critical situation, the IDF is urging the government to take the following steps:
- Increase mandatory service: Extend the required service time for regular military personnel from the current two and a half years for men and two years for women to three years for all.
- Approve a service extension law: Implement legislation that would allow for the extension of service for certain personnel beyond the mandatory period.
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The IDF also highlighted challenges in recruiting ultra-Orthodox soldiers. While recruitment from this community has increased in recent years, it still falls short of the IDF’s goals. The IDF aimed to recruit 1,300 ultra-Orthodox Israelis in the July-October 2024 recruitment cycle but did not meet this target.
Adding to the strain, the IDF reported a decline in reservist participation. Combat unit reservists served an average of 136 days in 2024, but this number is projected to drop significantly to 70-72 days in 2025. Furthermore, approximately 40,000 reservists in combat and combat-support roles failed to respond to call-ups for reserve duty.
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Senior Israeli officers attribute this decline to burnout after a prolonged period of conflict. However, Israeli media reports suggest that the government’s failure to implement policies to draft the ultra-Orthodox population has also contributed to the reduced reservist response.
The IDF’s manpower shortage raises serious questions about its ability to effectively defend the country and fulfill its security obligations in the face of ongoing challenges.
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