Tel Aviv, MINA – A warning by Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir about a potential military “collapse” due to severe troop shortages has sparked a political storm, drawing sharp reactions from both opposition leaders and government allies, according to Middle East Monitor.
Zamir reportedly cautioned during a closed Security Cabinet meeting that the army is struggling to meet expanding operational demands across multiple fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and ongoing tensions involving Iran. Despite deploying over 100,000 reservists, the military still requires an estimated 15,000 additional troops, including thousands of combat soldiers.
The warning comes as Israel continues its multi-front engagements while facing internal challenges, particularly the refusal of many ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews to perform mandatory military service. The issue has intensified political divisions, with opposition figures arguing that all citizens must share the burden of national defense.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused by critics of delaying legislation that would enforce broader conscription, allegedly to maintain support from religious parties within his coalition. This has fueled accusations of prioritizing political survival over national security.
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Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the situation as a looming “security catastrophe,” warning that repeated deployments have left many reservists exhausted and regular forces overstretched. Other political figures echoed concerns, calling Zamir’s remarks a serious alarm rather than a political statement.
Analysts say the military chief’s warning reflects growing strain within Israel’s armed forces as operational demands increase while manpower declines. With elections approaching and debates over military service intensifying, the issue is likely to remain at the center of Israel’s political and security discourse.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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