Jerusalem: The Israeli military has deployed insufficiently trained soldiers from its elite Golani and Givati brigades to the Gaza Strip amid a critical shortage of troops, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported Sunday. The recruits have been sent to the battlefield since last December, reflecting the growing strain on the Israeli military, which has acknowledged a significant manpower shortage.
According to Anadolu Agency, the situation was highlighted last week when the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported that Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet about the army's potential inability to meet the political leadership's objectives in Gaza due to the dwindling number of soldiers. The army's challenges have been exacerbated by the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) from conscription and a 30% to 40% dropout rate among reservists, who cite exhaustion from the prolonged war.
The shortage may worsen as more Israelis, including active and former soldiers, sign petitions demanding the release of hostages, even if it requires halting the Gaza war. More than 140,000 Israelis have signed petitions calling for a ceasefire in exchange for hostages, with 21 petitions gathering support from over 10,000 active and former reservists each. Israel estimates that 59 of its citizens remain captive in Gaza, including 24 believed to be alive, while it holds over 9,900 Palestinians in its prisons, where reports of torture, starvation, and medical neglect have led to numerous deaths, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ministers have threatened to dismiss the petition signatories, labeling the campaigns as 'rebellion' and 'disobedience' that 'strengthen enemies during wartime.' The conflict has resulted in more than 51,200 Palestinian deaths in Gaza since October 2023, with most casualties being women and children. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his 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.