Israel army says lacks over 10,000 soldiers amid intensifying campaign in Gaza

FRANCE 24 English

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00:00To the Israeli army, figures are clear.

00:03It needs at least 10,000 extra soldiers to implement the government's war plants.

00:08The main option is to recruit those who have not been enlisted so far, the country's ultra-Orthodox.

00:15The IDF lacks over 10,000 soldiers, including about 6,000 combat soldiers.

00:20This is a genuine operational need, and this is why we are taking all necessary steps.

00:25Tens of thousands of notices have already been sent without getting much success.

00:32The ultra-Orthodox community is opposed to these forced enlistments, even at the cost of being arrested.

00:40The situation is all the more tense as the war continues, with no end in sight.

00:46Hundreds of soldiers have been killed, thousands have been wounded.

00:50Even among military officials, there are warnings that the ongoing war will only endanger the lives of hostages still held by Hamas.

01:00Hostages' families and many others have accused the prime minister of expanding the war for political reasons.

01:07Reservists have served hundreds of days, some refuse to return and fight more, and several of them have been arrested.

01:15Meanwhile, a smaller number of fighters opposed the war for ethical reasons.

01:22The sentence I got is not justified. It's too harsh. I'm no criminal.

01:29But at least, my arrest puts the spotlight on the problem.

01:36There are no clear figures of those who refuse or are unable to return to the front line.

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