Egypt Daily News – The ongoing Gaza conflict has led Israel to explore various avenues to address its shortage of recruits, which has become increasingly critical since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023.
Amidst the growing need for soldiers, reports have surfaced indicating that Israel is recruiting African asylum seekers, particularly from Sudan, to participate in combat operations in Gaza.
This recruitment is reportedly accompanied by promises of permanent legal residency for those who agree to partake in these dangerous missions. “Haaretz” highlighted this situation, detailing how Israeli security officials are incentivizing asylum seekers to engage in frontline combats, effectively placing them at significant personal risk.
Reports suggest that internal criticisms regarding this approach have been muted, and military officials claim that the recruitment process is proceeding without major issues.
This issue of recruits is underscored by earlier assessments from the Israeli General Staff, which indicated a severe shortfall of qualified personnel owing to significant casualties in the ongoing conflict.
The army reportedly requires around 7,000 additional troops, reflecting the urgent need for reinforcements. Additionally, there are ongoing discussions about the involvement of mercenaries from various countries, including past assertions of foreign fighters from nations such as Ukraine.
While some of these allegations were denied by external representatives, Israel’s history of utilizing mercenaries from diverse backgrounds since the establishment of the state remains evident. However, the current government’s stance has been to avoid public discussion of this issue.
The involvement of foreign nationals has prompted reactions across different countries, including calls within the French Parliament for action against dual nationals fighting for Israel, as well as remarks from the South African government concerning potential legal repercussions for its citizens engaged with the Israeli military.
In summary, Israel’s reliance on unconventional sources for recruits during the ongoing Gaza conflict has sparked a complex dialogue surrounding military ethics, human rights, and the roles of various nationalities within the Israeli defense framework.
