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Israeli military leader warns troop shortages undermine Gaza operations
(MENAFN) Israel's chief military officer has expressed concerns that insufficient troop levels are obstructing the army's capacity to achieve its goals in the Gaza Strip.
“Military-only strategies cannot fulfill all national objectives in Gaza, particularly in the absence of a complementary diplomatic track,” stated Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and cabinet officials, as reported.
Zamir's comments come amid rising dissatisfaction within the Israeli military. A significant number of reservists and veterans have signed petitions advocating for an end to the conflict in Gaza and calling for a prisoner exchange to secure the release of Israeli captives. In response, Netanyahu has cautioned that active-duty soldiers who endorse such petitions may face termination.
According to sources, Zamir's statements highlight a growing gap between the military's operational challenges and the Israeli government's wider political goals.
Israeli media sources attribute the troop shortage to various factors, including exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service and widespread fatigue among regular forces after 18 months of continuous combat. Current participation rates among reservists in combat units are reported to be between 60% and 70%.
“There is concern that those numbers will not improve in the event of a broader offensive,” a military source indicated.
The Israeli military resumed its operations in Gaza on March 18, concluding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January 19.
Since the onset of Israel's offensive in October 2023, reports indicate that nearly 51,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have lost their lives.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in the region.
“Military-only strategies cannot fulfill all national objectives in Gaza, particularly in the absence of a complementary diplomatic track,” stated Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and cabinet officials, as reported.
Zamir's comments come amid rising dissatisfaction within the Israeli military. A significant number of reservists and veterans have signed petitions advocating for an end to the conflict in Gaza and calling for a prisoner exchange to secure the release of Israeli captives. In response, Netanyahu has cautioned that active-duty soldiers who endorse such petitions may face termination.
According to sources, Zamir's statements highlight a growing gap between the military's operational challenges and the Israeli government's wider political goals.
Israeli media sources attribute the troop shortage to various factors, including exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service and widespread fatigue among regular forces after 18 months of continuous combat. Current participation rates among reservists in combat units are reported to be between 60% and 70%.
“There is concern that those numbers will not improve in the event of a broader offensive,” a military source indicated.
The Israeli military resumed its operations in Gaza on March 18, concluding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January 19.
Since the onset of Israel's offensive in October 2023, reports indicate that nearly 51,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have lost their lives.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in the region.
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