[87405] IDF warns of collapse: Urgent demand to extend service to 36 months

Unusual warning from the General Staff: IDF in danger of operational collapse

In an interview held this morning on 103FM radio, Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb, head of the Personnel Directorate’s Planning and Manpower Division, presented a worrying situation regarding the IDF's operational readiness. As reported on Ben Caspit's Telegram channel, Tayeb emphasized that the IDF is in a reality of ongoing combat that does not allow for a return to the routine that existed before October 7. According to him, "the army is collapsing into itself" due to the attrition of regular forces and the overloading of reservists.

A gap of 12,000 soldiers

According to the data presented by Tayeb, as also published on the channel of Amir Ettinger and Yuval Segev, the army is in immediate need of 12,000 combatants and combat support personnel to fill gaps created by casualties and to ensure operational continuity. The forecast for the near future is grim: with the planned shortening of mandatory service to 30 months at the beginning of 2027, an additional shortage of thousands of soldiers will be created due to recruitment gaps, which will lead to critical damage to the command structure and training capabilities.

"The next two weeks are critical"

The central demand of the IDF, as presented on Ben Caspit's channel, is urgent legislation that will return mandatory service to 36 months. Tayeb warned that "as elections approach, it is difficult to legislate," and therefore the next two weeks are "critical for the IDF's readiness."

Regarding the issue of Haredi recruitment, Tayeb noted that the current law is not effective enough to achieve the required personnel goals. He emphasized that the shortage of manpower directly affects "the ability to carry out all operational missions," and could lead to "personal collapse or the collapse of certain frameworks" among those serving, who cannot bear an infinite burden.