Human manpower shortage pushing the Israeli army to expand conscription and increase spending
The Israeli army is currently facing a shortage estimated at around 12,000 mandatory-service soldiers across seven fronts.
The Israeli military establishment is experiencing a deepening crisis in human resources and defense funding amid ongoing military operations on multiple regional fronts. This has led the army to request an unprecedented increase in next year’s budget, alongside warnings of a widening gap in the number of regular soldiers.
Data presented by the Israeli army shows that the armed forces are currently facing a deficit of approximately 12,000 conscripted soldiers, including thousands of combat troops required for field units. This crisis comes as Israel remains militarily engaged on several fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank, while also preparing for potential escalation with Iran.
According to military assessments, the growing pressure on regular forces has forced the army to expand its reliance on reserve units, whose members are now serving significantly longer periods than in previous years. Observers say this reality has created increasing economic and social burdens for soldiers and their families, amid growing internal criticism in Israel over the prolonged duration of military operations.
In an attempt to address the crisis, the Israeli army is considering a package of measures that includes extending mandatory military service and offering additional financial incentives to conscripts, along with plans aimed at maintaining the size of combat forces amid concerns over a future decline in enlistment.
The military establishment is also working on restructuring certain units and forming new combat frameworks, including armored companies as well as engineering and reconnaissance units, as part of plans aimed at enhancing operational readiness and increasing deployment flexibility in the field.
At the same time, Israel is seeking to broaden its recruitment base by drawing in social groups that have not traditionally participated extensively in military service, particularly the Haredim and residents of peripheral areas. These efforts include specialized training programs and adapted service tracks tailored to the social and religious characteristics of these groups.
On the financial side, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli army and the Ministry of Defense are demanding a significant increase in the 2026 defense budget, reaching approximately $62.8 billion, a record figure reflecting the scale of current security and military pressures facing Israel.
The newspaper added that the defense budget has already seen an emergency increase in recent weeks due to military developments linked to the confrontation with Iran. The military establishment is now seeking additional allocations to cover the costs of ongoing operations and to raise readiness levels across all fronts.
Security officials believe that the need to strengthen military deployment in the West Bank, along with continuing operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, requires greater financial resources to ensure operational continuity and improve force effectiveness.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss the army’s budget requests in upcoming government meetings, amid anticipated disagreements with the Ministry of Finance, which is calling for tighter spending control and adherence to budget ceilings, given the economic pressures resulting from ongoing military confrontations.
