DayofPal– A noticeable decline in the enlistment of reserve soldiers has been reported in Israel’s war fronts in Gaza and Lebanon, which affects the core of operational decisions, Israeli media said on Monday.
The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that there has been a decline of between 15% and 25% in reserve service due to Israel’s proposed law allowing ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) to be exempted from military service, as well as soldiers’ feeling fatigue for working in ongoing wars.
The newspaper attributed the decline in the enlistment of reserve soldiers to the government’s proposed law that allows the continued exemption of religious Jews from military service. It also reported that parties within the coalition government are demanding the enactment of a new law to ensure that around 60,000 Haredi Jews remain exempt from military service each year.
The newspaper added that in the early months of the war, after October 7, 2023, the soldiers’ participation rate was over 100%, with additional reserve soldiers pressing to join. However, in recent weeks, the response rate has declined.
This coincides with the increasing fatigue that affects reserve soldiers, and is expected to continue until 2025. The newspaper also quoted a senior security official as saying that it seems reserve soldiers will be required to serve at least 100 days next year amid reports that the military is yet to allocate new budget for economic assistance to reserve soldiers.
The newspaper reported that the shortage of soldiers is impacting decision-making regarding Lebanon and Gaza, and has become a crucial factor in approving any future plans to expand military operations.
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