Overview
- Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who briefed the security cabinet Wednesday, warned the army could “collapse in on itself” and urged immediate laws on conscription, reserve duty and longer mandatory service.
- An IDF spokesman confirmed the army needs more combat troops, with a focus on southern Lebanon where Israel is building a forward defensive zone against Hezbollah.
- Military briefings put the shortfall at roughly 12,000 troops as forces cycle through Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank and Iran-linked operations.
- Following the leak, opposition leaders demanded the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men, and Israeli media reported Netanyahu pledged to advance conscription legislation after Passover.
- Reservists describe repeated call-ups and exhaustion, and commanders warn routine security tasks will slip without fast relief and a broader pool of recruits.