Israeli media: Drop in willingness of IOF to continue military service

A survey obtained by Ynet revealed that only 42% of permanent IOF officers wish to sign up for continued service, a decrease from 49% before the war. The reasons include extreme attrition, damage to family life, and dissatisfaction with salaries.

A senior officer noted, “There is also a sense of responsibility for the dire results; failure haunts them.” 

According to Ynet, “Operation Swords of Iron is setting negative records, marked by the failure to meet its goals and its prolonged duration without resolution. That said, it has become evident that the manpower crisis in the IOF has only intensified.

According to a survey conducted this month by the IOF Personnel Division and obtained by Ynet, there has been a significant decrease in the willingness of permanent officers to stay.

Only 42 percent responded positively to whether they wanted to continue their service, compared to 49 percent in August 2023. However, the decrease in motivation is further evidenced by another factor discussed within the ACA: the increase in the number of referrals by officers to the IOF’s retirement department during the war.

Additionally, the survey revealed that only 30 percent of Israeli officers were satisfied with their salary levels. In contrast, 60 percent of respondents in the private sector expressed satisfaction with their salaries. While some disparity between the military system and the private sector is expected, a gap of this magnitude indicates significant anger and resentment among service members, whose importance is universally acknowledged.

On a similar note, earlier this month, it was revealed that ten members of the IOF have committed suicide since October 7, some during confrontations in the Gaza envelope settlements, the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, revealed.

Experts cited by the newspaper stated that while most suicides among the IOF involve young soldiers, the events of October 7 have had an unusual psychological impact on IOF personnel in general.

The newspaper also reported that the IOF have had to unexpectedly address suicidal tendencies among soldiers and officers, both in permanent military service and in the reserves, particularly those in their thirties and forties.