Maariv: The Israeli Army is Exhausted, Tired, and Hungry

Translation SadaNews - The Hebrew newspaper Maariv described the Israeli army on Friday as exhausted, tired, and suffering from a severe shortage of equipment, with its coffers empty of funds, and soldiers are suffering from hunger.

The Hebrew newspaper reported, as translated by SadaNews, testimonies from soldiers in several areas, including those on the border with Syria and Gaza, that army leaders are tightening their grip on its resources.

Soldiers on the Syrian border complained that they are no longer provided with mineral water bottles for each soldier, and that each bottle is now counted, with significant restrictions imposed on them. Meanwhile, soldiers on the Gaza border, specifically in Nahal Oz, complained that at times they did not have dinner, prompting them to protest before they were allowed to open the kitchen.

The newspaper pointed out that regular maneuver units do not have spare parts for armored vehicles, forcing more troops to walk while carrying heavy combat equipment on their backs due to the lack of appropriate tools.

The newspaper states that the major problem lies in the gap between the aspirations of the political leadership and the reality faced by the Israeli army, especially since there is a shortage of soldiers and a budget deficit, along with exhausted soldiers, and armored vehicles, tanks, and planes that require comprehensive maintenance involving updates and renewals of systems, but spare parts are completely absent because Israel is living in political isolation.

It noted, for example, that the armored corps does not have enough tank engines because Germany prevents continuous supplies.

It stated that Netanyahu's government is preoccupied with political survival and has begun to encourage Haredi youth to defect from the Israeli army, even granting Torah scholars the status of fighters in the army, and allowing the finance minister to harass the army and prevent budget transfers, all aimed at maintaining peace in the coalition and preserving the political bloc even after the elections, at a time when the Israeli army is already suffering from a deep crisis in manpower, equipment, and resources.

It added: It is no longer possible to remedy the situation with paracetamol or intravenous solutions, but it needs intensive care.

In conclusion, the newspaper questioned: What should happen first, stopping the drain on the Israeli army and providing for its needs, or defeating the "axis of evil" led by Iran? It referred to the ongoing statements made by Netanyahu and Katz regarding their forces' readiness to confront Iran.