{"id":313018,"date":"2025-08-02T05:38:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T05:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=313018"},"modified":"2025-08-04T07:03:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T07:03:25","slug":"idf-to-draw-down-reserve-deployments-by-30-amid-soaring-fatigue-falling-turnout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=313018","title":{"rendered":"IDF to draw down reserve deployments by 30% amid soaring fatigue, falling turnout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Times of Israel \u2013 July 21, 2025<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Facing rising fatigue among troops and growing public discontent, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Monday reportedly ordered a 30% reduction in the number of reservists deployed to active combat zones in the coming months.<\/p>\n

The move, first reported by Army Radio, will be carried out gradually in Gaza, the West Bank, and along the northern borders with Lebanon and Syria. It is intended to ease the mounting burden on Israel\u2019s reserve corps, which has carried the bulk of the military load since Hamas\u2019s October 7, 2023, invasion of southern Israel triggered war across several fronts.<\/p>\n

A source familiar with the matter confirmed the plan to The Times of Israel. The decision is based on manpower issues rather than an easing of security tensions, and the source emphasized that the reduction could be reversed in the case of major military escalation, such as a renewed confrontation with Iran or a large-scale operation in Gaza.<\/p>\n

The IDF has yet to officially confirm the decision.<\/p>\n

The shift comes amid a significant decline in reservist turnout \u2014 a dramatic contrast to the 120% participation rate seen on October 7. According to the IDF, participation levels have since dropped to less than half of that.<\/p>\n

The move follows a record mobilization. At the end of May, the government authorized the call-up of up to 450,000 reservists over a three-month period \u2014 the largest in Israeli history, surpassing the number mobilized in the immediate aftermath of October 7.<\/p>\n

For some, it was their seventh call-up since the war began, despite a November 2024 commitment to cap reserve duty at two and a half months in 2025.<\/p>\n

At the start of the war, nearly 300,000 reservists were called up. By comparison, the IDF has about 100,000 active-duty soldiers, whose mandatory conscription periods have been extended by emergency wartime legislation.<\/p>\n

Speaking to troops in Gaza City on Sunday, Zamir hinted at the policy shift, saying the army would \u201cimplement new operational formations that will enhance our strengths, reduce our vulnerabilities, and deepen operational gains. These will increasingly pressure Hamas and reduce the erosion of our forces.\u201d<\/p>\n

A senior military source familiar with the new plan said the IDF will seek to replace many reserve units in the field with standing army troops, even if it means a smaller overall force in places like Gaza, Army Radio reported.<\/p>\n

In that sector, most reserve units will be released in the coming weeks, with only one new reserve brigade expected to take their place. In the West Bank, currently held almost entirely by reserve battalions, regular army troops will gradually take over. A more limited drawdown is expected along the northern front.<\/p>\n

The drop in turnout is attributed to widespread fatigue, economic hardship, outrage over ongoing Haredi draft exemptions, and a deepening lack of faith in the government as the war has continued to drag on for nearly two years.<\/p>\n

Concerns are also mounting over the mental and physical toll taken by repeated service. A investigation by the Haaretz daily<\/a> in May found that hundreds or even thousands of psychologically wounded soldiers \u2014 including some who had previously reached out to the Defense Ministry for support \u2014 were called up again ahead of the IDF\u2019s latest offensive in Gaza.<\/p>\n

According to the report, the army has no comprehensive record of all psychologically injured troops, and gaps between the Defense Ministry and the military have left commanders blind to some soldiers\u2019 trauma history.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople simply aren\u2019t coming. They\u2019re exhausted and have problems at home and at work. So we\u2019re recruiting others, including some who aren\u2019t 100 percent,\u201d an officer in an armored battalion told Haaretz.<\/p>\n

Most recently, on June 13 the IDF announced it was again calling up reservists from multiple units \u201cfor defense and offense across all arenas,\u201d including the start of operations related to Iran \u2014 further taxing the already overstretched manpower system.<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p>\n

IDF Soldiers Can\u2019t Fight Hamas Anymore? Israeli Troops Beg Media To Show Reality: \u2018We\u2019re Done\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Hindustan Times \u2013 Aug 1, 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n