The radio reported that the shortage of soldiers prompted the army to reach out to Jewish communities in the diaspora to encourage their youth to enlist and join its ranks for limited periods.
The radio station explained that the expected shortage of between 10,000 and 12,000 soldiers, coupled with the reluctance of Haredim (religious Jews) to participate in military service due to their commitment to studying the Torah, is pushing the army to exhaust all available options to bolster its forces.
The Haredim constitute approximately 13% of Israel's population and refuse to serve in the military, citing the need to preserve their religious identity. This has sparked political controversy between the government and the opposition, which considers the exemptions discriminatory.
The radio station indicated that the army intends to focus on recruiting young men from the large Jewish communities in the United States and France, with the goal of increasing the number of recruits by approximately 700 soldiers annually.
The report quoted unnamed military officials as confirming that this move aims to support forces facing a severe shortage of personnel and equipment.
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The Israeli army is suffering from significant depletion of its forces, while its reserve soldiers are also suffering from psychological difficulties and depression due to the combat conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Last July, the army admitted a shortage of approximately 7,500 soldiers, while battalion commanders expressed their exhaustion and desire to retire.
Armed operations continue between Palestinian factions in Gaza, most notably the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades, which consistently document injuries and deaths among the occupation forces during the ground battles that have erupted in the Strip since October 27, 2023.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 61,944 Palestinians dead, 155,886 injured, most of them children and women, more than 9,000 missing, hundreds of thousands displaced, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 258 people, including 110 children.
