Israel's Manpower Crisis Worsens As Wave Of Resignations Hits Army
The Israeli Army Spokesperson’s Unit, led by Lt Col Daniel Hagari, has witnessed a large wave of resignations. Among those who resigned are Hagari’s second in command, Colonel Butbol, as well Colonel Moran Katz and the army’s International Spokesman Lieutenant Richard Hecht.
"A large number of officers recently announced their retirement from the unit responsible for the military’s information system," Hebrew news outlet Channel 14 reported on Saturday.
A number of female officers were also among those who resigned. The resignations came "after things did not work out ‘professionally and personally,'" Channel 14 correspondent Tamir Morg said.
Several officers have reportedly complained about not moving up in the ranks, the Hebrew outlet explained. "The picture is complex, since it is a military system and sometimes people reach retirement age and leave for no particular reason, but despite this, the number of people who retire at once during a war is unusual," the correspondent said.
The Israeli military has not responded to requests for comment. The resignations come as significant tension has overtaken Israel’s military establishment.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has been calling for an end to draft exemptions for Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community, citing a severe manpower crisis in the army. Gallant said he would only support legislation to settle the issue if certain members of the ruling coalition backed it.
"The army is in need of manpower now. It’s not a matter of politics, it’s a matter of mathematics," the defense minister said on Sunday.
Gallant’s position is causing tension with ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition, viewed as integral to the current government's survival, according to Hebrew media.
Israel is reportedly taking severe losses from its war in Gaza which has caused mass civilian casualties and amid its attempt to eradicate Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).
While Israel claims that Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah is the final Hamas stronghold, the group’s military wing, along with several other factions, continue to fiercely confront Israeli troops across the strip.
"The situation is simply not good and does not match the threat map," Ynet reported on March 1.
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