Expert Warns Israel Unprepared for New Threats Amid Military Weakness
Military correspondent Avi Ashkenazi of the newspaper Maariv warns that Israel faces a growing threat from Iran and the Houthis, compounded by significant internal challenges within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He states the army has not recovered from three years of combat, suffering from shortages of personnel, equipment, and funding.
The IDF is reportedly experiencing a deficit in tanks, armored personnel carriers, and Humvees, with hundreds of vehicles damaged and insufficient funds for necessary parts. Personnel shortages are so severe that soldiers may have their leave canceled to cover operational gaps. Ashkenazi suggests this situation risks pushing Israel into a new phase of regional confrontation with an already strained military.
Ashkenazi draws a parallel between the current situation and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, highlighting persistent intelligence overconfidence. He points to ignored warnings before October 7th, noting that intelligence gathered from observers, border residents, and soldiers was not adequately considered. He cites the delayed dismissal of Lieutenant Colonel A., an intelligence officer from the Gaza Division, after October 7th as an example of this ongoing arrogance.
Beyond military issues, Ashkenazi identifies political disagreements over IDF funding as a major obstacle to rebuilding the armed forces. He argues that political infighting distracts from strengthening the military and preparing for potential new threats.
Regionally, Ashkenazi focuses on Iran and its Houthi proxies, who continue to challenge Gulf and Middle Eastern nations. He also notes the potential impact of a reduced US security role in the region, which could significantly alter the regional balance. In this context, Israel might need to adopt a more prominent role, not through direct military involvement with Arab nations, but by providing Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan with resources to counter Iran and the Houthis. Ashkenazi believes Israel must shift from overconfidence to concrete planning, potentially assuming some of the security responsibilities traditionally held by the US.
