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A retired Israeli major general has warned that the country's military is experiencing the most severe manpower crisis in its history, with thousands of officers abandoning service and critical shortages threatening operational capability.
Yitzhak Brik, a former major general in the Israeli military, wrote in the Israeli newspaper Maariv that thousands of officers and non-commissioned officers have left military service in recent months, creating what he described as a "significant professional personnel shortage" that could render the military "completely ineffective" in the near term.
The exodus includes officers citing various excuses to avoid duty, personnel refusing to renew their service contracts, and young soldiers declining to sign permanent service agreements, according to Brik's assessment. Many officers have requested immediate discharge from active duty.
The sharp decline in qualified personnel has directly impacted the military's ability to maintain equipment and operate combat systems effectively, Brik wrote. He cautioned that if current trends persist, the armed military could face complete operational paralysis.
The personnel crisis comes as Israel's military operations in Gaza have entered their second year. Official Israeli figures report 923 soldiers killed and 6,399 wounded in the Gaza Strip campaign, which began on Oct. 8, 2023. Israeli media outlets estimate approximately 20,000 soldiers are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, though strict military censorship complicates independent verification of casualty figures. Some observers have accused the military of concealing higher death tolls due to morale concerns.
Brik directed sharp criticism at recent military leadership, accusing successive chiefs of staff of implementing "inappropriate decisions" that exacerbated the crisis. Among the policies he cited were comprehensive personnel reductions and the shortening of mandatory service periods to three years for men and two years for women.
These measures created "large gaps impossible to quickly close," Brik argued, adding that the policies drove highly professional and experienced personnel out of service while leaving sensitive positions staffed by individuals unable to handle the demands of current combat conditions.
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The retired general also faulted the military's human resources division for operating "without professionalism and accountability for years," claiming that fundamental workforce planning issues have been systematically ignored. He described the military as suffering from "information blindness" caused by outdated technological systems and fragmented databases.
The Gaza campaign, launched with U.S. support, has resulted in more than 70,000 Palestinian deaths and 170,000 injuries, predominantly among women and children, according to casualty figures from Gaza health authorities. The offensive has caused extensive infrastructure damage, with the United Nations estimating reconstruction costs at approximately $70 billion.
Brik's warnings highlight growing concerns about Israel's military sustainability amid prolonged conflict operations and mounting domestic pressure over the human and economic costs of the Gaza campaign.
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