Israeli reservists say ceasefire waste of 'achievements' in Lebanon
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Reservists who served at the northern occupied Palestinian border voice frustration over the ceasefire deal, saying it is a waste of their "achievements".
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An Israeli soldier stands on the top of a tank in an area near the Palestinian-Lebanese border area, as seen from northern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (AP)
Israeli soldiers and reservists have voiced frustration and disappointment regarding the recent ceasefire with Lebanon amid broader discontent within military ranks over what many perceive as a lack of long-term strategy.
Corporal First Class Omer Ben Hamo of the Yiftach Brigade expressed his surprise and concern about the agreement, stating, "This endangers our lives for the sake of temporary calm. Maintaining the situation as it is reflects neglect. [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] knows he hasn't completed the mission."
"The enemy hasn't rested and is improving. We've sacrificed a lot, but I don't understand this agreement. Why did we fight? To destroy a tunnel they will rebuild? You sent me to fight an enemy or infrastructure. I know my son will serve in reserve duty there because we refuse to solve the problem," he added.
The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that this frustration is shared by many among the reservists.
Captain Omer Feldman, an artillery officer in the armored battalion who has served over 200 days in reserve duty, half of them in the north, also criticized the situation. She remarked, "It must be said that absolute victory does not exist on any front. Hezbollah's leadership, which faced defeat, will rebuild itself."
"Lebanese citizens have returned to their homes, while our citizens are still living in hotels. This is a testimony to failure—a political game at our expense," she added.
'Settlers afraid, frustrated'
This echoes a similar sentiment made by Israeli media, wherein they said residents in southern Lebanon are returning to their homes following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation, while fear and frustration are prevalent among settlers in northern border settlements.
Israeli Channel 12 reported a "deep mistrust" between northern settlers and the Israeli occupation forces, noting that "no one has addressed the reality in the north for over a year." The network quoted a resident of Metula, a northern border settlement, who said, "Being neighbors with Lebanon, the Israeli military must do much more to restore our sense of security."
Despite government calls for settlers to return, many express doubts, with Channel 12 adding that "there is no place to return to." The displacement has also disrupted daily life, including education, as families struggle to resume normal routines.
Strategic advisor Eyalet Frisch criticized the mass evacuation of roughly 100,000 northern settlers during the war, describing it as a "strategic mistake" driven by "hysteria over Hezbollah." Former Israeli military spokesperson Avi Benayahu echoed this view, stating that the military was in a state of panic after evacuating from the north.
'1-0 in favor of Hezbollah'
Channel 14 warned that if the government continues its current approach, the north risks becoming a "Lebanon border envelope" similar to the precarious situation faced by communities near Gaza.
