A growing number of Israeli soldiers, supported by their
mothers, are publicly refusing to return to fight in Gaza despite the risk of
imprisonment, reflecting deepening fatigue and scepticism about the war’s
purpose. This phenomenon coincides with widespread protests against Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the conflict and fears about the
safety of hostages and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Growing Refusal Among Soldiers and Mothers
As Israel mobilises tens of thousands of reservists for a
new offensive into Gaza City, an unprecedented wave of resistance has emerged
within the ranks of the Israeli military and their families. According to a
detailed report by the Egyptian Gazette, groups of soldiers along with their
mothers have voiced their refusal to serve, despite facing potential
imprisonment, marking a significant shift in societal and military dynamics
amid the almost two-year conflict sparked by Hamas’s attack on 7 October 2023.
No official numbers have been released, but activists and
newly formed organisations such as Soldiers for Hostages claim to represent
hundreds of soldiers who have refused to return. This is a stark departure from
the initial surge of patriotism and will to serve seen at the onset of the war.
Mothers’ Roles in the Resistance
Mothers' groups, notably Save Our Souls (SOS), represent nearly 1,000 mothers of soldiers urging their sons not to go back to Gaza. Noorit Felsenthal-Berger, a prominent voice and mother of two soldiers who have fought in Gaza, shared her emotional struggle:
“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,”
she said as she wiped away tears.
This movement is reminiscent of a similar mothers’ campaign
that contributed to ending Israel’s 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon in
2000. SOS has held protests nationwide, lobbied government officials, and
published open letters calling for an end to the conflict and the call-up of
reservists.
Soldiers’ Weariness and Doubts
Avshalom Zohar Sal, a 28-year-old Israeli soldier and medic with multiple tours in Gaza, expressed the growing exhaustion and morale crisis among troops. Speaking to the Egyptian Gazette, he recalled feeling personal guilt when six hostages were killed near where he served and criticised repeated deployments to the same battle zones, describing soldiers as vulnerable and disoriented.
“Don’t put me in the position that I need to decide if I’m going to risk again my life,”
he stated.
Yifat Gadot, mother of a soldier who fought for nine months,
noted her son described Israeli troops as “sitting ducks.” More than 450
Israeli soldiers have died since the 2023 ground invasion began, underscoring
the war’s human cost.
Political and Social Context
This rising act of defiance is intertwined with mass public
protests criticising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. Many
demonstrators accuse him of prolonging the war for political gain, rather than
seeking a diplomatic resolution to secure the release of 48 hostages, around 20
of whom are believed still alive. Former senior security officials also
question the efficacy of the latest military offensives and warn that continued
fighting may endanger hostages.
Max Kresch, from the Soldiers for Hostages group, condemned the government, saying,
“Netanyahu’s ongoing war of aggression needlessly puts our own hostages in danger and has wreaked havoc on the fabric of Israeli society, while at the same time killing, maiming and starving an entire population of civilians in Gaza”.
Impact and Military Response
Despite the public refusals, military operations have so far
continued without noticeable disruption, and refusal to serve remains
punishable by imprisonment, though only a few soldiers have been prosecuted.
The mobilisation call for some 60,000 reservists is the largest in months and
highlights the significant tensions between civic duty and personal conscience
in Israel’s small population.
Netanyahu’s office has declined to comment on these
refusals, navigating the delicate balance between maintaining military
discipline and managing a fractious public opinion.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Criticism
The war's humanitarian consequences weigh heavily on Israeli
society and the international community. Israel’s blockade and military actions
in Gaza have drawn widespread condemnation, intensifying calls for a ceasefire
and political dialogue. The refusal by soldiers and their families is also a
reflection of growing discomfort with the moral and practical dimensions of the
conflict.
The refusal of Israeli soldiers and their mothers to return to Gaza signals a notable shift in the fabric of Israeli society and military morale amid one of the most protracted and contentious conflicts in recent history. While military operations continue, the growing voices of dissent reflect deep societal divisions and the human toll of a war entering its second year.