Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Israeli soldiers threaten to stop fighting if captive deal not settled

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites + Israeli media
  • 9 Oct 2024 14:48
4 Min Read

Israeli occupation forces threaten to leave reserve duty if the occupation government does not settle a prisoner-captive exchange deal to secure the return of captives in Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • People protest on the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and call for the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house, in al-Quds on October 7, 2024.
    People protest on the first anniversary of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and call for the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip, outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house, in al-Quds on October 7, 2024. (AP)

A group of Israeli occupation soldiers threatened that they would end reserve duty if the occupation government did not make efforts to secure a prisoner-captive deal.

In a letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, 130 soldiers said that "continuing the war in Gaza not only delays the return of the hostages but also endangers their lives."

The letter added, "If the government does not change course immediately and work towards securing a deal to bring the hostages home, we will not be able to continue serving."

"For some of us, the red line has already been crossed, and for others, it is rapidly approaching: the day when, with broken hearts, we will stop reporting for service." 

The group includes both reserve and regular soldiers, some of whom have fought in Gaza and on the northern border since the Al-Aqsa Battle. 

'Israel' threatens prosecution of soldiers refusing to return to Gaza

On that note, it is worth mentioning that in August, the IOF reportedly threatened their soldiers with prosecution if they did not return to Gaza to continue the ongoing genocide in the Strip amid increasing refusal cases in recent months. 

Approximately 20 IOF soldiers from an infantry brigade have refused to return to Gaza, "Israel's" KAN public broadcaster reported, with around 10 of the soldiers receiving official warnings stating they would face prosecution for disobeying military orders. 

Related News

Abu Obeidah: Commander Deif wrote Palestine’s final liberation chapter

Israeli 'humanitarian city' plan jeopardizes Gaza ceasefire deal talks

Families of the IOF soldiers claim that their military relatives “are forced to conduct ground maneuvers in Gaza or face prison," adding “There are only a few soldiers left in their company who are capable of fighting... This is our time as parents to help them confront a system that does not care about them."

That said, Gallant stated in July that Tel Aviv needs 10,000 new soldiers amid manpower shortages.

'Drop in willingness of IOF to continue military service'

Furthermore, a survey obtained by Ynet in May revealed that only 42% of permanent IOF officers wish to sign up for continued service, a decrease from 49% before the war. The reasons include extreme attrition, damage to family life, and dissatisfaction with salaries.

According to the survey, which was conducted by the IOF Personnel Division, there has been a significant decrease in the willingness of permanent officers to stay.

Only 42% responded positively to whether they wanted to continue their service, compared to 49% in August 2023. However, the decrease in motivation is further evidenced by another factor discussed within the ACA: the increase in the number of referrals by officers to the IOF's retirement department during the war.

'Settlers lose trust in Netanyahu, Israeli government' 

On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that the October 7 events shattered the confidence of Israeli settlers in "Israel" and that the year of war that followed has deepened internal divisions within Israeli society.

The newspaper emphasized that Netanyahu’s declared objective of destroying Hamas remains distant, despite the extensive destruction in Gaza. 

It also highlighted that many Israelis are seeking answers as to why the government was so absent during these critical moments, a collapse that has undermined the long-held belief that it would always be there to protect them.

Furthermore, it pointed out that Israeli settlers feel that their government has abandoned them.

According to the newspaper, many Israelis believe that the failure to secure the return of captives has torn apart the mutual responsibility contract, a core pillar of the Zionist movement, which asserts that Jews have a shared obligation to support and care for one another.

Read next: Israeli troops refusing to follow commands for Rafah ground invasion

  • Palestine
  • Israeli forces
  • captive deal
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation forces
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS