Israel forces “on the verge of collapse,” IDF chief warns amid multi-front war

ALBAWABA- Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has issued an unprecedented warning that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are “on the verge of collapse,” citing severe manpower shortages as the military fights simultaneous campaigns against Iran, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and threats in the West Bank.

In a closed-door briefing reported by multiple Israeli outlets, Zamir raised “10 red flags,” noting that reserve units are in their sixth and seventh mobilization cycles, regular forces are in “complete collapse,” and the army lacks sufficient personnel to sustain operations.

 He warned that urgent legislative action, including a new Draft Law, Reserve Service Law, and extended mandatory service, is needed to prevent the IDF from being unable to continue missions.

Zamir also flagged the diversion of forces to counter Jewish terrorism in Judea and Samaria and criticised ongoing Haredi draft evasion as a direct threat to readiness.

The warning comes as Israel expands ground operations in southern Lebanon, with plans for a security zone up to the Litani River, while continuing airstrikes linked to the broader campaign against Iran that began on February 28. Officials describe both fronts as prolonged, with Zamir approving new waves of strikes across all theatres.

ערב חג הפסח אני רוצה להזהיר את אזרחי ישראל. אנחנו עומדים בפני אסון בטחוני נוסף.

13 שנים אני חבר בקבינטים בטחוניים ובפורומים הבטחוניים הרגישים ביותר של מדינת ישראל. כראש ממשלה, שר חוץ, שר אוצר, חבר ועדת החוץ והבטחון.

בכל 13 השנים האלה אני לא זוכר התראה דומה בחומרתה לזו שהזהיר… pic.twitter.com/QIDcIlf13c

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) March 26, 2026

Political reactions were immediate. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the briefing the gravest security warning in 13 years, urging the government to mobilise reserves, enforce Haredi conscription, and confront Jewish terrorism. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned the army is short roughly 20,000 soldiers and accused the government of being “incapable of providing security for the State of Israel.”

Former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has called for winning now or never, urging that "this is the moment to break Iran’s resistance, force an agreement on American and Israeli terms, and finish the war on the ground of our choosing. We do that by seizing and squeezing Iran's chokepoint".