Amid severe shortage of soldiers, IDF offers draft-dodgers one-time opportunity to enlist without punishment

Facing a severe shortage of soldiers amid the continuously high demand for troops, as a high alert continues on numerous fronts, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) decided to offer draft dodgers a one-time deal to enlist without facing punishment.

“Operation Fresh Start” is not aimed at the ultra-Orthodox community, where most of the young men are not yet designated draft dodgers, while the negotiations (concerning their drafting) continue at the political level .

According to the IDF’s Human Resources Directorate, based on the distribution of tens of thousands of new call-up orders, around 5,000 more draft evaders will be registered in the coming months.

Currently, some 14,600 other young men and women between the ages of 18-26 are dodging the draft and are not enlisted in the army for various reasons, despite being obligated by law to serve.

ויתור על העונש תמורת גיוס: המבצע "החד פעמי" של צה"ל ל-14,600 המשתמטיםhttps://t.co/1ku2atbyLJ pic.twitter.com/eMSzYGolRR

— ynet עדכוני (@ynetalerts) August 17, 2025

The IDF told Israeli media outlets that even if several hundred draft dodgers choose to enlist, the operation would be considered a success.

“Even if 500 young people join as a result of the operation, that’s 500 more soldiers for the IDF than there are today, and the army needs more fighters in its ranks,” a military source said.

“Remember that from July 2024, soldiers enlist for only 30 months of mandatory service and not 32 months, and this will create, in another two years, an additional manpower shortage in the army. In any case, the enlistment of Haredim (the ultra-Orthodox) in the IDF is a major event that will not be dealt with solely through enforcement.”

According to military estimates, the IDF is lacking around 7,500 combat soldiers, in addition to thousands of other troops in support roles.

The military will reach out through a media campaign, as well as using personal messages.

“We are lacking manpower, and the need is extremely urgent,” the military told Walla News.

“We do not feel that punishment should be waived or not given, but we want to expand the ranks of enlistment. This is a one-time opportunity, and we will not leave it open.”

The campaign will start on Sunday evening and continue until Thursday, and the IDF emphasized that no similar campaign will be conducted in the near future.

Potential recruits will have to register through the IDF’s draft website before arriving at a recruitment base, where they will be sorted by suitability for combat, combat-support, or non-combat roles and transported to a training base.

“We are not letting them off,” the IDF added.

“They will be on probation, and if they go AWOL or desert during the service, they will be punished,” the military said, adding that in such a case, a deserter will be punished for the new offense as well as for the original draft evasion.

Those who won’t take the opportunity to show up and enlist will be arrested and tried, the IDF warned.

“Whoever shows up should not come with forms and new exemption requests, but with a large bag for full military service, in a track that suits him and the needs of the army,” the military stated.

“And if he is Haredi, then he will receive all the new conditions we have invested in, so that a young Haredi man will emerge exactly the same young Haredi man – in this regard, the IDF will not be a melting pot.”