Israeli army dismisses, jails 3 soldiers who refused to return to Gaza
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Three soldiers from the IOF’s Nahal Infantry Brigade have been sentenced to military jail for refusing to redeploy to Gaza, citing an "internal crisis".
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Israeli soldiers move tanks around a staging area near the border with the Gaza Strip, Palestine, Sunday, May 18, 2025. (AP)
Three soldiers from the IOF's Nahal Infantry Brigade were removed from combat roles and sentenced to jail for insubordination, as reported by Kan public broadcaster and later confirmed by the military.
Kan reported that four soldiers from Nahal’s 931st Battalion were dismissed from combat duty after refusing to re-enter Gaza following multiple deployments in the Strip, with three receiving sentences of seven to 12 days in jail while the fourth awaits sentencing.
The four soldiers informed their commanders that they were unable to re-enter Gaza due to what they described as "a profound internal crisis," according to Kan.
The IOF confirmed that three active-duty Nahal Brigade soldiers declined to participate in the ongoing Gaza war, although after evaluation by a military mental health professional, the troops were deemed psychologically capable of continuing combat operations.
Additionally, the Israeli army stated that following a disciplinary process, the soldiers maintained their refusal to serve, resulting in their sentencing to time in a military detention facility.
The military claimed that the incident was addressed with appropriate care and in line with regulations, emphasizing that it takes acts of insubordination seriously, particularly in wartime, and remains committed to maintaining order and leadership principles.
18,500 IOF soldiers wounded, thousands have PTSD: Ynet
According to a Yedioth Ahronoth report, over 18,500 Israeli soldiers have been wounded since October 7, 2023, including thousands experiencing serious psychological trauma, with estimates indicating the casualty figure may rise to 100,000 by 2028.
The July 27 report, referencing Israeli Ministry of Security figures, indicates that a significant portion of these soldiers have not only been discharged from military duty but have also withdrawn from the workforce, suggesting wider economic and social consequences for "Israel".
The report cautions that approximately 50% of anticipated future military injuries will involve psychological conditions, with PTSD being the most prevalent, prompting an immediate reevaluation of mental healthcare infrastructure, funding allocations, and therapeutic approaches to address the escalating crisis.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the previously estimated 2030 timeline has been pushed forward to 2028 because of the surge in mental health cases, forcing officials to adjust medical preparedness strategies.
