Israel chief of staff warns army nearing internal collapse amid multi-front war
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has warned that the army is approaching “collapse from within” amid mounting pressures from the ongoing war on multiple fronts, including Iran and Hezbollah.
Speaking during a Security Cabinet meeting, Zamir said the military is facing deepening internal crises, particularly linked to severe manpower shortages.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Zamir warned that reserve forces “will not hold up”, criticising the government for failing to address structural issues such as the conscription of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews, amendments to the Reserve Law, and the extension of mandatory service periods.
“I am raising 10 red flags,” Zamir reportedly said, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
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He noted that the army is currently operating across multiple active fronts, including the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, while troop requirements continue to rise.
Zamir also warned that the intensification of violence in the West Bank has forced the Israeli occupation forces to deploy additional units there, further straining already overstretched personnel.
He stressed that the government has yet to pass key legislation needed to alleviate the crisis, exacerbating the burden on existing forces.
In a stark assessment, Zamir warned that the army may soon be unable to carry out its missions even under normal conditions, adding that the continuation of current pressures could lead to a serious decline in Israel’s military readiness.
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