IDF on the Brink of Crisis – Two Main Problems
The IDF leadership expresses disappointment over political echelon restrictions on special operations. Military analyst Avi Ashkenazi warns of the risk of a return to the balance of terror. In Gaza, targeted killings have been tightened; in Lebanon, the army refrained from responding after the deaths of two soldiers; in Judea and Samaria, control has been weakened. The Air Force also risks losing Apache and Yasur helicopters due to lack of funding.
The IDF leadership expresses deep disappointment over restrictions imposed by the political leadership on conducting special operations. Military analyst Avi Ashkenazi warns that the army's hands being tied on key fronts—from Iran to Gaza—could return the region to a dangerous balance of terror, similar to that preceding the October 7 tragedy. In the Gaza Strip, the policy of targeted killings has been tightened: operations require approval at the highest political level or personally from Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir due to US pressure. In Lebanon, after an incident in the Majdal area where two Israeli soldiers were killed, the army refrained from a large-scale response, which gives Hezbollah a free hand. In Judea and Samaria, state control has been weakened, officers are deprived of support in fighting Jewish radical and nationalist crime; the symbol of the crisis is the dismissal of the commander of the Central Command, Avi Balut. The second problem is a technical crisis. The Air Force risks losing its Apache attack helicopters due to the age of the aircraft and the inability to obtain spare parts, while Yasur transport helicopters require decommissioning. The Ministry of Finance is in no hurry to allocate funds for fleet renewal. Ashkenazi quotes: "In the Israel Defense Forces, they ring bells and adjust the lapels of their uniforms. Just don't say they weren't warned."