(Photo: Anadolu)
The Israeli military has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that a multibillion-shekel budget shortfall could undermine its ability to maintain operations in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and Lebanon, according to Israeli media reports.
The military is expected to present estimates showing an additional funding need of around 25 billion shekels, or about USD 8.3 billion, as it faces continued operational demands and delayed budget transfers. Israeli military officials have separately warned in recent weeks that funding delays could force cuts to reserve deployments, intelligence activity, weapons procurement and repairs of armored vehicles.
Reported concerns include preparations for winter operations in Lebanon, recruitment across several military branches, and purchases of air-defense systems, artillery and tank ammunition.
The funding dispute has also affected defense procurement. Israeli defense companies have warned that delays in government payments could disrupt munitions production, while military officials have said some aircraft, weapons and maintenance programs could be postponed.
Netanyahu met opposition leader Yair Lapid earlier this week to discuss additional defense funding. Lapid said he supports increasing military spending but argued that the money should come from existing coalition allocations rather than new taxes or a reopening of the state budget.
Lapid later called for the immediate release of 11 billion shekels for urgent military procurement.
The dispute comes as Israel continues military operations across several fronts, placing sustained pressure on personnel, equipment and defense spending.
