Tsahal sounded the alert on Sunday about a deep crisis in its personnel, amid a prolonged war and simultaneous engagement on seven fronts. According to the army’s data, exhaustion is affecting both regular service soldiers and reservists, with thousands of wounded being removed from combat units since the start of the war.
The weight is increasingly falling on reservists. For 2026, after the “Roar of the Lion” operation, the army expects between 80 and 100 reserve days per person, compared to an initial estimate of 55 days. Before the October 7 massacre, the norm was about 21 days every three years. This explosion in the number of mobilized days is heavily impacting the personal, family, and professional lives of reservists.
The heart of the problem lies in the lack of soldiers. Tsahal estimates a shortage of about 12,000 mandatory service personnel, including 6,000 to 7,500 combatants. Extending mandatory service to 36 months, as in the past, remains blocked in the Knesset due to its connection to the politically explosive issue of the law on the conscription of orthodox individuals.
The army warns that in January 2027, a “dramatic drop” in regular personnel is expected for two months due to the planned transition to a 30-month service. This setback is described as a “drop in heart rate” within the army, which could disrupt the entire system if legislation is not quickly adopted.
The orthodox question remains central. Tsahal reports approximately 38,000 conscientious objectors, the vast majority originating from the haredi sector. Meanwhile, the army claims to be ready to integrate around 8,160 orthodox soldiers per year if appropriate legislation is passed. The recruitment of haredi fighters reached a record this year, with about 3,000 enlistments.
Another major development is the significant increase in the number of female combatants. There were 547 in 2012, but now there are 5,200 in 2025, accounting for approximately 21% of all Tsahal combatants.
“If we don’t act legislatively now, the situation will worsen and disrupt the entire system,” warns a military source. According to the source, regular soldiers and reservists are “paying the price” for a political blockade that prevents the army from breathing, training, and renewing its forces.
