Israeli reservists, mothers resist Gaza call-ups: The Independent
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The Independent reports growing dissent among Israeli reservists and mothers opposing Gaza call-ups, citing fatigue, casualties, and fears for captives.
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Soldiers sit on the ground during speeches made at the funeral of an Israeli soldier killed in action in the Gaza Strip, at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP)
A growing number of Israeli soldiers and their mothers are openly refusing to serve in Gaza, challenging government efforts to sustain its latest offensive, The Independent reported on Friday.
While there are no official figures, new grassroots groups have emerged urging troops to reject orders despite the risk of jail. The dissent comes as the Israeli occupation calls up tens of thousands of reservists for its invasion of Gaza City, part of the devastating genocide that has been taking place for nearly two years.
The protests align with wider demonstrations accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of prolonging the war for political gain instead of striking a deal to free 48 remaining captives, 20 of whom are believed alive. Former security officials have warned that the operation could endanger those captives while drawing global criticism over Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
One network, Soldiers for Hostages, says it represents more than 360 troops who will not report for duty. Another, Save Our Souls (SOS), claims to speak for nearly 1,000 mothers pressing leaders to halt what they describe as a needless war. Both groups cite fatigue, high casualties, and concerns that continued fighting undermines efforts to retrieve captives.
Refusing to serve remains illegal and carries possible prison terms, but so far only a few soldiers linked to these campaigns have been jailed for short periods, The Independent noted, as at least three soldiers associated with Soldiers for Hostages have been imprisoned this year for refusing to serve, with some jailed for around three weeks.
Soldiers refusing service over Gaza occupation
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, around 350 Israeli reservists signed in early September a public statement refusing to comply with the cabinet's decision to carry out a full occupation of Gaza City. The move signals growing dissent among military personnel over the government’s policies in the ongoing war on Gaza.
At a press conference held on Monday, Ron Feiner, a reservist and member of the organization Soldiers for the Kidnapped, declared that “The decision to launch a final occupation of Gaza is completely illegal and puts hostages, soldiers, and civilians at risk.”
Feiner confirmed that the signatories would not comply with any potential “Order No. 8”, which would call them back into service, asserting that the occupation of Gaza lacks operational or security justification.
He described the move as “political, dangerous, and serving an extremist minority at the expense of the security of the settlers.”
Soldiers say occupation endangers captives, civilians
Feiner also pointed out that senior former and current military officials, including the chief of staff and the head of the National Security Council, have warned that the proposed operation could endanger captives held in Gaza, worsen civilian suffering, and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
