IDF Chief warns military could “collapse” due to manpower shortage amid West Asia conflict

Tel Aviv : The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, on Thursday (local time) warned that the Israeli military could “collapse in on itself” due to increasing operational pressures and a worsening manpower shortage amid conflict in West Asia, Times of Israel reported, citing reports.According to the Times of Israel, citing Israel’s Channel 13 News, Zamir made the remarks during a security cabinet meeting, where he flagged serious concerns over the army’s preparedness.
“I am raising 10 red flags before you,” he reportedly told ministers, as reported by the Times of Israel. He stressed the urgent need for legislative measures, including a conscription law, a reserve duty law, and an extension of mandatory military service. “The IDF now needs a conscription law, a reserve duty law, and a law to extend mandatory service,” Zamir was quoted as saying, as reported by Times of Israel, warning that without such steps, the military may soon struggle to carry out routine operations and sustain its reserve system.
According to the Times of Israel, this is not the first time Zamir has sounded the alarm over the issue. In January, he had written to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, cautioning that the shortage of personnel could soon impact the army’s operational readiness.