IDF officers warn of manpower shortage amid threat of new war

IDF reserve unit commanders have warned of a growing shortage of personnel that is already affecting combat missions in southern Lebanon. Official attendance figures are inflated because they include those who notified in advance of their inability to report. Some companies have about 70 soldiers serving at a time. Reservists see no long-term plan to reduce the burden and call for accelerating the training of new fighters.

IDF reserve unit commanders have warned of a growing shortage of personnel that is already affecting the execution of combat missions in southern Lebanon. According to them, the burden on the reserve system is increasing, and the number of fighters ready to report for duty regularly is declining. Official attendance figures are inflated because they include soldiers who notified in advance of their inability to report due to valid reasons. One commander said that at the start of the war companies numbered hundreds of fighters, but now a significant portion of reservists do not show up for major maneuvers. During routine missions, some companies have about 70 soldiers serving at a time, sometimes fewer. To reduce the burden, the command has allowed a weekly schedule: a week on the front lines, a week at home, but this leads to understaffing. Reservists see no long-term plan, and many have served hundreds of days. They call for accelerating the training of new reservists and increasing unit sizes. The IDF stated that deployment is based on operational needs and that they highly value the contribution of reservists.