IDF Chief of Staff Warns of Need to Expand Military Personnel

Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, speaking at a special IDF and security forces appreciation event hosted by the State Employees Union, emphasized the critical need to expand the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its pool of conscripts and reservists. He accepted a central award on behalf of the "hundreds of thousands of soldiers and commanders in regular and reserve service," dedicating it to reservists who left their homes and careers, their families, and those who paid the ultimate price.

Kochavi described Israel as being engaged in a "prolonged, unprecedented, and multi-arena campaign for our existence and homeland" for over a thousand days. He stated that the IDF has fundamentally changed its security doctrine from "ignoring and containing" threats to "removing threats in advance."

Addressing personnel challenges, Kochavi issued a stark warning: "We must enlarge the IDF, expand the pool of service members, and adapt it in terms of force size and advanced capabilities to meet its expanding missions." He stressed the paramount duty to care for all service members, including career soldiers, conscripts, and reservists.