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IDF general warns mandatory service extension will not solve army manpower crisis

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • An IDF general warned that extending mandatory military service will not resolve the army's significant manpower shortage.
  • The Knesset approved a bill extending mandatory service to 32 months, but officials say it is insufficient to meet operational needs.
  • The military faces a deficit of approximately 12,000 soldiers, including 7,500 combat troops, with concerns the army could collapse.

The recent extension of mandatory IDF service approved by the Knesset will not solve the military's critical manpower shortage, according to Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the IDF Personnel Directorate. In a letter to service members and commanders, Bar Kalifa stated that the approved extension "does not eliminate the need to expand the pool of draftees."

The extension of mandatory service approved by the Knesset plenum on Thursday “does not eliminate the need to expand the pool of draftees.”

— Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar KalifaStating that the service extension alone is insufficient to address the IDF's manpower crisis.

Bar Kalifa emphasized that Israel's operational demands require new legislation for an effective conscription law and further extensions to build a broader force. He highlighted the ongoing three-year war effort, acknowledging the determination and professionalism of service members in achieving operational results. The state of war, he noted, demands extraordinary physical and mental strength.

The Knesset plenum approved a bill extending mandatory IDF service to 32 months under a temporary order. This measure, passed by a vote of 43-12, adjusts the timeline for reduced service, delaying the application of 30-month service for those drafted in July 2024 to June 2029. The bill's justification cites the immediate need to meet operational goals and security requirements.

The IDF has been at war for about three years and is carrying out its missions, thanks to you, the male and female service members, with determination and professionalism, and is achieving exceptional operational results. The state of war requires extraordinary physical and mental strength.

— Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar KalifaDescribing the ongoing wartime demands on IDF personnel.

Despite the law's passage, IDF representatives informed the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that the additional service time remains insufficient. The military is reportedly facing a shortage of about 12,000 soldiers, with a critical need for 7,500 combat troops. The chief of staff has previously warned political leadership of a potential army collapse if service is not extended to 36 months, citing 12 "red flags."

I am raising 12 red flags; the army will collapse into itself.

— IDF chief of staffWarning political leadership about the severe consequences of the soldier shortage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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