The Israeli reserve system is facing a severe manpower and equipment crisis, with commanders warning that some units deployed to Lebanon are operating far below their official size, according to Israeli Army Radio.
The report on Tuesday said that while the public and decision-makers are being told about “brigades” and “divisions” operating in Lebanon’s so-called “security zone”, field testimonies indicate that many formations are only a fraction of their designated strength.
“In recent days, an armored reserve brigade was deployed to take over a significant operational sector in the security zone in Lebanon,” the report said. “But in practice, these are not full-sized brigades; they are far from it.”
According to the report, reserve tank companies that previously operated with 10 to 12 tank crews are now fielding fewer tanks due to losses and damage sustained during fighting with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, with many vehicles requiring extensive repairs.
This video shows footage from the Islamic Resistance's operation targeting a Merkava tank belonging to the “Israeli” enemy army in Al-Taybeh town in southern Lebanon with an Ababil loitering glider [FPV] pic.twitter.com/4Pk1XYNLHI
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The report said the Israeli military has also adjusted reserve call-ups to reflect the reduced availability of operational equipment, resulting in enlistment figures that commanders say do not represent the actual state of the forces.
“The reserve units today are empty; a battalion isn’t a complete battalion, and a company isn’t a real company,” one reserve commander was quoted as saying. “The public and decision-makers hear about entire brigades in Lebanon, but the reality is a much smaller force, with far fewer personnel, tanks, and vehicles.”
“Parts of the reserve system are, in effect, collapsing,” the commander added, while noting that some units remain in better condition than others and that personnel are continuing to do their best despite the strain.
The report cited additional examples of command shortages, including a reserve company that completed an operational mission in Lebanon with only one remaining officer. The company commander had been removed, there was no deputy commander, and a soldier was assigned to fill the role.
“There is no chain of command in the company; it is ‘run like a board of directors,’” the report quoted the account as saying.
Army Radio also reported that even units with reserve mobilization rates of 50–70% remain significantly understaffed in practice, as not all personnel serve for the full duration of operational deployments.
Source: Hebrew media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)