Growing Number of Israeli Soldiers and Mothers Oppose Gaza Deployment

As Israel calls up tens of thousands of reservists for its invasion of Gaza City, a growing number of soldiers and their mothers are refusing to serve, despite the risk of imprisonment. This defiance has emerged nearly two years into the conflict initiated by Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack, though it has not yet impacted military operations.

The opposition coincides with mass protests accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political purposes instead of negotiating with Hamas to secure the release of the remaining 48 hostages, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Critics, including former senior security officials, fear that the latest offensive will achieve little and endanger the hostages. Israel also faces international criticism over the humanitarian crisis resulting from the war and its blockade.

One group, comprised of mothers concerned for their sons' safety, is urging leaders to halt the deployment. Noorit Felsenthal-Berger, fearing for her youngest son, expressed her desperation to prevent his return to combat.

Soldiers report fatigue and dwindling morale. Avshalom Zohar Sal, a 28-year-old medic with multiple tours in Gaza, stated that troops are exhausted and uncertain about their mission's purpose. His doubts intensified after witnessing repeated operations in the same areas, leading to decreased focus and increased vulnerability to Hamas attacks.

The group Soldiers for Hostages claims to represent over 360 soldiers refusing to serve. While refusal is punishable by imprisonment, only a few cases have resulted in jail time. At a September 2 news conference, member Max Kresch criticized the ongoing war for endangering hostages and harming Israeli society, while also causing significant civilian casualties in Gaza.

Another group, Save Our Souls (SOS), represents nearly 1,000 mothers of soldiers. Similar movements have historically influenced Israeli military policy, such as ending the 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon in 2000. Felsenthal-Berger, whose two sons have fought in Gaza, emphasized the need to advocate for their children. The group has organized protests, met with officials, and published letters. While her sons support her efforts, they have not officially refused to serve.

Yifat Gadot recounted her 22-year-old son's experience of feeling like a "sitting duck" during his nine-month deployment in Gaza. According to the army, more than 450 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the 2023 ground invasion began.

Israel's recent call-up of 60,000 reservists is the largest in months. In a nation where military service is mandatory for most Jewish men, many have already served multiple tours, impacting their families and businesses. The government's failure to draft ultra-Orthodox men, who have long been exempt due to political agreements, has fueled public resentment, especially during the prolonged conflict.

The military does not disclose figures on absences or refusals, stating that each case is evaluated individually. It emphasized the essential contribution of reservists to mission success and national security. At least three soldiers associated with Soldiers for Hostages have been imprisoned this year for refusing to serve, with sentences up to three weeks.

Initial support for the war was high following Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 abductions. However, public sentiment has shifted, particularly after Israel ended a ceasefire in March that had facilitated hostage releases. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 64,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began, with about half being women and children.

A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that around two-thirds of Israelis, including about 60% of Israeli Jews, support a deal involving the release of all hostages, cessation of hostilities, and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The poll surveyed 600 Hebrew-speaking and 150 Arabic-speaking individuals, with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points.

Hamas has indicated willingness to accept such a deal, but Netanyahu insists the war will continue until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, with Israel maintaining security control over the territory.

Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group, warned that compelling soldiers in a divided nation to continue fighting could have lasting effects on Israel's military capabilities. Despite divisions over a planned judicial overhaul in 2023, which led to mass protests and threats of service refusal, military service remains a "sacrosanct" duty for many Israelis.