Wed 23 April 2025:

The Israeli army estimates that it will need an additional 10 billion shekels ($2.6 billion) to expand its war on the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

“The renewal of the war in Gaza over a month ago, after the ceasefire, and the plan to expand it with a large-scale ground operation, is incurring significant costs,” the daily said.

It added that the increase is strongly opposed by the Finance Ministry.

“It is inconceivable that, beyond the nearly $31 billion already allocated-including the use of a $2.6 billion reserve fund-another $2.6 billion could be added to an already inflated defense budget,” a senior official told the newspaper.

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The daily said that the additional expenses will be used to seize about 40% of Gaza’s territory in the coming weeks, enhancing the security of Israeli settlements near the Gaza border and preventing the resumption of rocket fire into Israel.

According to the figures released by the Israeli economics newspaper Calcalist earlier this year, Israel has spent 250 billion shekels ($67.57 billion) in 2024 for its military onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

Undertrained soldiers

The Israeli military has deployed insufficiently trained soldiers from its elite Golani and Givati brigades to the Gaza Strip amid a critical shortage of troops, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported Sunday.

The recruits have been sent to the battlefield since last December, it said.

The move reflects the growing strain on the Israeli military, which has acknowledged a significant manpower shortage.

Last week, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported that Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Cabinet that the army’s ability to achieve the political leadership’s objectives in Gaza could be hindered by the dwindling number of soldiers.

The shortage may worsen amid a growing number of petitions signed by Israelis, including active and former soldiers, demanding the release of hostages, even if it requires halting the Gaza war.

More than 140,000 Israelis have signed petitions calling for a ceasefire in exchange for hostages. Among them, 21 petitions have each been signed by more than 10,000 active and former reservists.

Manpower shortage

Israel’s military faces a critical manpower shortage due to high casualties, declining enlistment, and societal tensions. Since October 2023, the IDF lost 844 soldiers and over 12,000 wounded, straining combat units.

Enlistment is down 1% annually, with 33% of recruits not completing the process and 15% deserting reserves. Over 100,000 reservists—half the force—stopped reporting, driven by war fatigue. Ultra-Orthodox exemptions fuel resentment, as they avoid service. Extended deployments in Gaza burn out troops, while reservist absences cripple industries like construction and agriculture.

Israel extended mandatory service to 36 months and raised reserve ages but struggles to fill gaps. Importing 92,000 foreign workers helps the economy but not the military. This shortage limits IDF operations and exposes vulnerabilities, though reforms like national service models are proposed.

The Israeli army resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, shattering a Jan. 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

Israel has killed more than 51,200 Palestinians in the enclave since October 2023, most of them women and children.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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