Israeli reservists sound alarm over critical drone shortage in Gaza

Reservists in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) currently deployed in the Gaza Strip have voiced serious concerns over a critical shortage of drones, which they say are essential for conducting reconnaissance and ensuring troop safety during combat operations.

Soldiers from an IDF observation company have warned that the lack of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is severely hindering their ability to effectively carry out their missions, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

“We are an observation company. Our job is to observe the battlefield and identify the enemy. Drones are our eyes; with their help, we can identify the enemy and save lives. But the IDF command can't supply us with drones on a budget,” one reservist said.

“As fighters, we don't have the resources to fulfil our combat mission. I appeal to the public—help us save the lives of the fighters who are on the battlefield.”

The reservist further explained that some private organizations have stepped in to try to fill the gap by procuring drones, but the need far outweighs current supplies. “If a drone falls in a field—and they fall regularly—we have no other means of surveillance. Without a drone, we are like without eyes,” he said.

The shortage comes despite substantial support from civilian groups. Since the war began, numerous non-governmental organizations have delivered tens of millions of shekels worth of supplies to frontline units, including helmets, body armor, and UAVs for specialized teams. Yet, soldiers from various units continue to report that drones remain in critically short supply.

By Vafa Guliyeva