Tel Aviv, Israel (Agencies): The Israeli army has announced an extension of its compulsory military service by four months, bringing the total term to three years, amid an ongoing manpower shortage, local media reported on Sunday. The decision also includes suspending pre-release leaves, requiring soldiers to complete the full term before discharge.
According to reports, the army faces an unprecedented shortfall of 10,000 troops, 7,000 of whom are needed in combat units. This move aims to address the gap as the Israeli military continues its war on Gaza, which has claimed nearly 51,500 lives, primarily women and children, since October 2023.
Efforts to formalize the extension through legislation faced opposition from ultra-Orthodox coalition members, who seek exemptions for their community, known as Haredi, which makes up about 13% of Israel’s 10 million population. Despite this resistance, the army has acted unilaterally to implement the change.
The International Criminal Court last November issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel faces genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the enclave.
The decision reflects the Israeli military’s challenges in maintaining its operational capacity amid political and international scrutiny.