Gaza, MINA – Three years after the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the long war in Gaza, the Israeli military is facing heavy pressure, particularly regarding personnel needs, the burden on reserve forces, and casualties on the battlefield.
Several indicators show that the prolonged war has placed significant pressure on Israel’s military capabilities and structure, KAN media reported. One of the main problems is the shortage of combat personnel. Israeli military reserve officials say the reserve forces are still short of combat soldiers, while repeated deployments have increased fatigue and the personal burden on reservists. Since October 7, 2023, the number of Israeli reserve forces is reported to have increased by more than 130,000.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had also previously warned the government about the pressure on reserve forces. In March 2026, the Israeli military cited a shortage of about 15,000 soldiers, including around 8,000 combat personnel, amid the expansion of Israeli military missions on several fronts.
The burden of war is also reflected in the number of casualties. Data from the Israeli Ministry of Defense released in early October recorded 1,153 IDF soldiers killed since the war began, excluding casualties from the police, Shin Bet, fire services, and other security elements. Overall, Israel recorded 1,318 personnel from various defense elements killed during that period.
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Beyond personnel issues, the length of the war has also caused psychological and social pressure on the forces. A Knesset committee in June 2026 discussed the handling of soldiers and reservists suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), indicating that the impact of the conflict is not only related to physical casualties but also the mental condition of personnel.
Three years after Al-Aqsa Flood, the war has also not produced a complete military resolution. Reuters reported that Israel still controls about two-thirds of Gaza, while Hamas has not been fully disarmed and Israeli attacks continue despite a ceasefire agreement. This condition keeps the burden of Israeli military operations high and remains one of the biggest challenges for the IDF in the future.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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