Lapid Warns of ‘Security Disaster’ as Israel Faces Growing Troop Shortages

Israel’s opposition leader Yair Lapid has sharply criticized the government, warning that ongoing shortages of combat personnel could push the country toward what he described as a “security disaster.”

In remarks delivered on Thursday, Lapid argued that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are under severe strain amid multi-front military operations.

“The IDF is stretched to the limit and beyond. The government is leaving the army wounded out on the battlefield,” he said, adding that the country is being pushed into a prolonged conflict without sufficient manpower or planning.

“The government is sending the army into a multi-front war without a strategy, without the necessary means, and with far too few soldiers,” Lapid stated.

His comments followed reports that military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir had warned the security cabinet that “the IDF is on the verge of collapse,” highlighting concerns over manpower and operational sustainability.

Military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin acknowledged the strain during a briefing, noting that additional troops are needed across several theaters of operation.

“On the Lebanese front, the forward defensive zone that we are creating requires additional IDF forces,” he said, while also citing rising demands in the occupied West Bank, Gaza, and Syria.

Lapid emphasized that reservists are being repeatedly deployed beyond normal limits.

“These reservists are worn out and exhausted and can no longer meet our security challenges,” he said. “The army does not have enough soldiers for its missions.”

He also renewed calls to expand conscription to include members of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community, who have traditionally been exempt from military service under long-standing arrangements dating back to Israel’s founding in 1948.

While military service is mandatory, exemptions have applied to ultra-Orthodox men engaged in full-time religious study.

“The government must stop being cowardly, immediately halt all funding for Haredi draft dodgers, send the military police after deserters, and draft the Haredim without hesitation,” Lapid said.

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