IDF Brigade Commander Denies Soldiers Accumulated Leave, Sparking Outrage

Approximately 20 soldiers from Battalion 601 of Brigade 401 are protesting their commander's decision to deny them accumulated vacation days after nearly three years of combat in Gaza and Lebanon. The soldiers claim the IDF "fooled" them by withholding leave they had earned. The Manpower Directorate (AKA) has criticized the decision, and the IDF stated that operational needs justify the move.

According to IDF regulations, soldiers are entitled to 17 vacation days per year. Due to ongoing conflict, the head of AKA had previously allowed combat units to carry over unused leave to 2026. However, Brigade 401, which was the first to operate in Lebanon during the "Roaring Lion" war and subsequently fought in Gaza, faced operational demands that led to the denial of these accumulated days.

While most combat units have granted their soldiers accumulated leave and discharge leave, Brigade Commander Colonel Schneider invoked a clause in military orders allowing officers of his rank to declare special operational needs, thereby revoking soldiers' leave. Although battalion commanders within the brigade generally intended to grant most of the accrued days, the commander of the combat engineering battalion 601 decided to grant only the standard 14 days of discharge leave, withholding between 19 to 25 accrued days. The brigade commander reportedly upheld this decision, allowing soldiers a maximum of 14 days plus an additional week from their accrued leave.

The decision has angered the remaining soldiers from the March 2024 draft class, some of whom have fallen in battle, been injured, or transferred. Parents of the soldiers have appealed to senior IDF command to intervene, citing discrimination between different battalions and the resulting frustration.

The IDF spokesperson confirmed that Brigade 401 is actively engaged in operations in the Rafah area and has been on the front lines for three years. The spokesperson stated that commanders of colonel rank or higher can deny leave if it impacts operational missions and readiness. In this specific case, soldiers are receiving their standard discharge leave and an additional five days from their accrued leave, with the possibility of denying or canceling leave during emergencies.