Soldier deficiency forces Israel into diaspora recruitment and possibly to massage reservists
The Israeli army is struggling with a growing shortage of men and is therefore also preparing for recruiting young Jews from the Diaspora, especially from the United States and France. That reported army channel Galei Tzahal today
The step comes at a sensitive moment: while army chef Eyal Zamir approves plans for a new large-scale attack on Gaza City. At the same time there is a proposal to call between 80,000 and 100,000 reservists.
Political pressure versus military boundaries
The combination of a shortage of soldiers, fatigue among reservists and rising political pressure exposes tensions in Israel. Zamir previously advocated a siege strategy to prevent victims among hostages and soldiers, but that was put aside by Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz stated that Israel should “act with full force”, because, according to him, Hamas does not show a willingness to release hostages.
According to sources within the army, the ground invasion in Gaza city can last well in 2026. The plan focuses on fighting in densely built neighborhoods, including high-rise buildings in which Hamas has installed Guerrilla units according to Israel.
Call from reservists: High Tol
Former General Giora Island mentions the estimate of 100,000 reservists exaggerated, but acknowledges that such a call causes disruption. “Many of them are ordinary citizens – students or pocket people – who have already served in this war. Every reservist also costs the state on average 400 euros a day. For one hundred thousand people, months, that is hardly sustainable economically,” he says.
In addition to the financial toll, island points out on the mental and social exhaustion: “The war has been taking 22 months now. Israel has never been in such an intense conflict for so long.”
According to Yossi Mekelberg, analyst at think tank Chatham House, the social impact is becoming increasingly visible. “Many reservists have served for more than 400 days. Initially – after the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 – everyone showed up, now it is only 50 percent. The army keeps that quiet because it looks politically bad.”
He not only sees exhaustion, but also growing moral doubt. “Reservists know exactly what is being asked of them in Gaza. If you are exhausted and doubt the usefulness of the mission, the willingness decreases.”
The mobilization plans coincide with severe protests in Israel, led by families of hostages. Last weekend tens of thousands of people traveled through Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Netanyahu accuses them to help Hamas, which further increases the gap between the government and society.
The tension is also growing within the political and military top. Katz and Zamir recently clashed about army appointments. Katz accused the Chief of Staff of “influencing by anti-government advisors,” while the army emphasized that the procedure is going according to the rules.
Diaspora as an emergency solution
The shortage of soldiers is also caused by the refusal of the ultra -orthodox Haredim to be employed. They keep tens of thousands of men outside the army.
The DiaSpora recovery must partly fill that gap, although for the time being it is a very modest number of around 700 new soldiers per year.
According to island, the army leadership sees that there are hardly any good options in Gaza. “Still, confidence in the army remains great. If Zamir says that the operation is needed, reservists will eventually respond,” says island.
Mekelberg suspects that the hard tone about the occupation of Gaza City also serves a political goal: “It can be a negotiating tactic, a game whose first flashes. But Netanyahu’s deadline to beat Hamas before October 7 this year makes the situation dangerous.”