Israeli Chief of Staff raises 10 red flags, warns IDF will 'collapse in on itself' amid ongoing war

Israel’s military chief has issued a stark warning over the Israel Defence Forces’ (IDF) operational capacity, cautioning that the force could “collapse in on itself” if the growing manpower shortage is not urgently addressed.

Speaking during a recent security cabinet meeting, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned ministers that mounting operational demands and a lack of personnel are putting severe strain on the military.

“I am raising 10 red flags before you,” Zamir told the cabinet, The Times of Israel reported citing Channel 13 News.
He cautioned that without swift policy changes, the military’s ability to sustain its operations could soon deteriorate. “The IDF now needs a conscription law, a reserve duty law, and a law to extend mandatory service,” Zamir was quoted as saying.

He warned that “before long, the IDF will not be ready for its routine missions and the reserve system will not hold,” as per the report.

Also Read: Iran-US-Israel War Live Updates 

Manpower shortage worsens during West Asia war

Zamir’s warning highlights the growing pressure on Israel’s armed forces as the conflict continues and the military grapples with sustaining its personnel strength for both ongoing combat operations and routine missions.

The concerns come as the Israeli military continues to operate across multiple fronts amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. According to The Times of Israel, the IDF has repeatedly informed lawmakers that it currently faces a shortfall of around 12,000 soldiers.

Earlier this year, Zamir had already sounded the alarm on the issue. In January, he reportedly wrote to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials warning that the lack of personnel could soon affect the army’s operational readiness, The Times of Israel reported.

Debate over ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions

The manpower challenge is also tied to an ongoing political and legal debate over military service exemptions for Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community.

Also Read: Donald Trump pauses Iran energy strikes for 10 days, says talks ‘going very well’

According to The Times of Israel, ultra-Orthodox political parties have pushed for legislation that would continue exempting their constituents from compulsory service. However, Israel’s High Court ruled in June 2024 that there was no legal basis for the longstanding blanket exemption granted to Haredi yeshiva students.

Despite the ruling, tens of thousands of eligible men remain outside the draft system. Reports indicate that about 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged between 18 and 24 are currently eligible for military service but have not enlisted, as per The Times of Israel.