Israel-Gaza
- noahbergman3
- May 10
- 1 min read
By Lady Olga Maitland
8 May 2025
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has set an ambitious target for stepping up military engagement in Gaza. On Sunday, the security cabinet approved IDF plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists—a sign that the IDF lack the manpower needed to meet the Government’s objectives. For now, it seems those ambitions may have to be scaled back.
As noted in Modad Geopolitics, Israel faces a stark challenge: at least half of its reservists are refusing to ‘volunteer’ again. Indeed, The Jewish Voice for Labour claims that over 100,000 Israelis have stopped showing up for reserve duty. The reasons are varied—exhaustion after months of fighting, the economic strain of prolonged absences, the ‘never ending’ war with no plan. Some reservists believe the campaign is no longer about securing Israel or rescuing hostages, but rather a political ruse to keep Mr Netanyahu in power.
The IDF’s chief of staff, General Eyal Zamir, has warned that the army’s ability to expand ground operations is in grave doubt. Without sufficient troops, even the most determined plans risk coming undone.
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