Study: Israeli reservists losing motivation in Gaza war
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A Hebrew University study shows 25% of Israeli reservists lost motivation in Gaza, as criticism of Netanyahu grows over captives and war strategy.
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Israeli soldiers stand on the top of a tank parked in an area near the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Monday, August 18, 2025 (AP)
A new study by the Hebrew University has found that nearly a quarter of Israeli reservists have lost significant motivation to continue fighting in Gaza, while almost half expressed negative feelings toward the government and its handling of the war and the prisoner issue.
The survey, conducted among more than 300 reservists currently serving in Gaza, revealed that 25.7% reported a major drop in motivation since the war began, while another 10% said their motivation had declined slightly.
When asked about their views on the campaign itself, 47% of respondents expressed negative feelings toward the Israeli government’s management of the war and negotiations over captives held in Gaza.
Reuters reported that, after nearly two years of fighting and as the Israeli occupation forces prepare for further escalation, disillusionment is spreading through its ranks. In March, the Israeli outlet Ynet noted that the number of reservists reporting for duty had fallen by 30% compared to military requirements.
Netanyahu accused of sacrificing captives for political survival
The growing frustration among soldiers has been accompanied by harsh criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Roni Zahavi, a reserve pilot who resigned after the collapse of the most recent ceasefire, told Reuters: “This war is purely political, its only purpose is to keep Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister. He is ready to sacrifice the captives, the soldiers, and the citizens just to stay in power. This is Israel’s tragedy.”
A special forces officer echoed those concerns, saying neither the political nor military leadership has a clear post-war plan. “There is a failure of vision at both the political and senior military levels. It is a real shortcoming,” he told Reuters.
Israeli soldiers commit suicide
An Israeli occupation soldier has taken his own life shortly after returning from combat operations in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Friday.
According to the reports, the soldier died by suicide on Thursday in the north of the occupied Palestinian territories, while his unit continues to fight in Gaza.
Investigations conducted by the Israeli occupation army revealed that the most recent suicides among its soldiers stem from combat-related circumstances and the difficulties associated with prolonged deployments in active combat zones.
The suicides resulted from the traumatic scenes soldiers witnessed, the loss of their fellow troops, and an inability to cope with the emotional toll of their experiences, according to the findings published by the official Israeli military broadcaster.
