<article data-history-node-id="432121" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-struggles-retain-officers-war-fatigue-and-political-tensions" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israel-struggles-retain-officers-war-fatigue-and-political-tensions" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israel struggles to retain officers as war fatigue and political tensions drive recruits away</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><article data-scroll-anchor="true" data-testid="conversation-turn-76" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:cf6912b1-155b-4126-b68c-c737f76e11e9-86" dir="auto" tabindex="-1"> <p data-end="404" data-start="251">The Israeli military is facing a growing crisis in retaining career officers, according to The Times of Israel, which cited statistics from Channel 12.</p> <p data-end="609" data-start="406">Reports indicate a shortage of roughly 1,300 lieutenants and captains, along with 300 majors, as internal surveys show only 63 percent of officers want to continue serving—down from 83 percent in 2018.</p> <p data-end="886" data-start="611">The Times of Israel noted that recruitment has become increasingly difficult, with more Israelis turning to civilian work due to war-related burnout, deteriorating service conditions, political delegitimisation, and dissatisfaction with recent army leadership appointments.</p> <p data-end="1013" data-is-last-node data-is-only-node data-start="888">The trends highlight mounting challenges for Israel’s military as prolonged conflict strains morale and operational capacity.</p> </article> </div> </div> </article>