Tel aviv: The Israeli army has acknowledged for the first time a significant depletion in its ranks amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Monday. 'For the first time, the Israeli army admits that its forces are significantly depleted. It estimates a shortage of around 7,500 soldiers,' the Hebrew-language daily Maariv reported.
According to Anadolu Agency, the army is currently lacking 300 platoon commanders in combat units across its ground forces. The army admitted that it has been 'difficult to convince capable soldiers to join the officer training program,' and has resorted to appointing experienced sergeants as acting platoon commanders to fill the gap. Maariv highlighted another shortfall at the company-level leadership, noting that 'in recent months, the army has been forced to assign officers to roles in both regular and reserve units who have not completed the official company commander course.'
Regarding the war in Gaza, Maariv noted that 'a significant number of officers and commanders have been killed,' with 'hundreds injured.' Commanders in both regular and reserve units told the newspaper that the leadership crisis extends beyond platoon and company levels, reaching battalion commanders, who bear a heavy combat burden while remaining away from home and family. Many battalion commanders have expressed interest in retiring due to workload and extended deployments, the daily reported.
Despite more than 21 months since the start of the conflict on Gaza in October 2023, Palestinian resistance factions continue to conduct well-planned ambushes, inflicting casualties on Israeli forces and showcasing Tel Aviv's inability to achieve its war objectives. Israel maintains strict censorship on reporting its military losses in Gaza and has not published an updated toll for its dead and wounded, leading to speculation that actual figures may be significantly higher.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued an offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in more than 59,000 Palestinian deaths, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave, causing food shortages and disease outbreaks. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.