Israeli soldiers and their mothers push back on returning to Gaza

Israel’s largest call-up of reservists in months is meeting unexpected resistance, with soldiers and their mothers openly refusing to serve as the Gaza City offensive intensifies. According to AP , the protest movement, while still small, signals growing fatigue in a country where military service is mandatory for most Jewish men and more than 450 soldiers have died since the invasion began last year. Groups such as Soldiers for Hostages and Save Our Souls (SOS) — the latter made up of nearly 1,000 mothers — say they fear their sons will die in a “political war” waged by Prime Minister Benja

Israel’s largest call-up of reservists in months is meeting unexpected resistance, with soldiers and their mothers openly refusing to serve as the Gaza City offensive intensifies. According to AP, the protest movement, while still small, signals growing fatigue in a country where military service is mandatory for most Jewish men and more than 450 soldiers have died since the invasion began last year. Groups such as Soldiers for Hostages and Save Our Souls (SOS) — the latter made up of nearly 1,000 mothers — say they fear their sons will die in a “political war” waged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Some reservists have already served jail terms for refusing orders. “I couldn’t stop thinking of how to break his leg, break his arm, wound him in some way that he won’t be able to go back,” said one mother, fighting back tears. Another said her son described soldiers in Gaza as “sitting ducks.” Troops returning from Gaza describe exhaustion and repeated operations in the same areas, with morale sinking. “Don’t put me in the position that I need to decide if I’m going to risk again my life,” pleaded one medic. Critics warn the campaign endangers the 48 remaining hostages, while Netanyahu has vowed the war will continue until Hamas is dismantled and Israel secures permanent control of Gaza. Public opinion is shifting. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found two-thirds of Israelis support a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, but Netanyahu has rejected such terms. The war began after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 assault, which killed 1,200 people and abducted 251. Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 64,000 Palestinians have since been killed, about half women and children.