The Israel Defense Forces is contending with a manpower deficit of roughly 10,000–12,000 soldiers as its ground campaign in the Gaza Strip stretches into another year, according to Army Radio and other Israeli media outlets. Senior officers are examining an unprecedented initiative to recruit Jews living abroad, particularly in the United States and France. Internal projections cited by military reporters suggest the programme could add 600–700 new soldiers each year, tapping an overseas pool estimated at more than 10,000 draft-age Jews. In a parallel move aimed at bolstering ranks immediately, the army is offering thousands of Israelis who previously avoided conscription a chance to complete their mandatory service without facing punishment, The Washington Times reported. The crisis has renewed debate inside Israel over the longstanding exemption for the ultra-Orthodox. Former deputy chief of staff Yair Golan argued the solution lies in integrating Haredi neighbourhoods in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and other cities rather than turning to the diaspora. His remarks follow a Supreme Court decision that struck down blanket draft exemptions for religious students, adding pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to craft a new conscription law.