Israeli Channel 12 recently reported a significant increase in the number of military officers requesting discharge from the army in 2024, with around 900 officers seeking to leave. This is a stark contrast to the usual annual average of fewer than 150 requests, indicating a concerning trend.
Describing the situation as a “crisis for the state, not just the army,” the channel highlighted the challenges faced in retaining officers in key positions within the military. Reasons for the surge in discharge requests include recent events like October 7, incentives, and campaigns delegitimizing the army by certain groups.
Additionally, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the urgent need for 10,000 new soldiers, with a potential recruitment of 4,800 from the ultra-Orthodox community following a recent court decision allowing their conscription.
Amidst these developments, reports suggest that the Israeli army is preparing for the third phase of its operations in Gaza, aiming to minimize losses from Palestinian resistance through strategic military actions.