IDF Says Budget Delay Will Trigger Reserve and Intelligence Cuts Next Week

Senior IDF officials said delayed defense funding will force sharp cuts to reserve staffing in the Northern and Southern Commands and to intelligence collection across several theaters. Walla reported the reductions would begin next week, while Israel Hayom placed the deadline on September 11 and said roughly 15,000 of about 51,000 reservists serving at any time could be released. Training, spare parts, munitions, force building and retention incentives would also be affected. The Finance Ministry said agreed allocations are being transferred and called for greater efficiency and financial controls in a defense budget that has nearly tripled in two years.