Israeli General warns against IDF combat troop cuts amid multi-theater war threats

A dispute in top military echelons over troop reductions in favor of high-tech resources broke surface on Sunday, July 11, during the ceremonial handover from Gen. Eyal Zamir to Maj. Gen, Hertzi Halevi, OC Central Command, of the post of Deputy Chief of staff. Gen. Zami argued that Israel was obliged to maintain a strong, top quality combat force in sufficient numbers to handle potential outbreaks of hostilities on multiple fronts, while also securing the civilian population behind the front lines. Gen. Zamir said, “the IDF has fallen far below the minimal numbers needed to face up to perils of a complexity unparalleled in recent years.” “With all the prime importance of high technology, there is no substitute for a qualitative and numerically sufficient fighting force.”…(Excerpts from the  DEBKAfile)