As the initial phases of a significant military assault on Gaza City unfold, Israel is mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists to participate in the upcoming operation. This decisive action comes as Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that the takeover of Gaza City—identified as one of the last strongholds of Hamas—necessitates the deployment of an additional 60,000 reserve troops, alongside extending the service of another 20,000 personnel. This escalation has triggered mounting condemnation both internationally and domestically, with fears escalating that the ongoing humanitarian crisis and hunger issues in Gaza will deteriorate further, endangering the lives of remaining hostages amid an expanded military initiative.
The Israeli military is currently positioned on the outskirts of Gaza City, with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin describing this as the preliminary stage of a larger operation. Initially, when the security cabinet authorized the takeover of Gaza City, Israeli officials estimated that the operation could span five months or more. However, on Wednesday, Netanyahu directed the military to expedite the timeline for this complex operation.
After nearly two years of conflict, with no resolution in sight, the military chief has raised concerns about the added strain on soldiers, many of whom have already been deployed multiple times in the Gaza region. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir warned the security cabinet earlier this month about the risks of attrition and burnout among troops, but these concerns were largely ignored as Netanyahu and his coalition advanced their war plans.
Recent findings from a survey conducted by Agam Labs at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveal a troubling trend: approximately 40% of soldiers report being less motivated to serve, while just over 13% indicated increased motivation. These statistics highlight the stark realities faced by the Israeli military, which may encounter limitations in manpower as public opinion increasingly favors an end to the prolonged conflict.
Military leaders have called for the inclusion of ultra-Orthodox men into military service to bolster the ranks of fatigued troops. However, the majority of the ultra-Orthodox community has resisted military service, prompting the government to advocate for broad exemptions to mandatory service. This political debate, occurring amidst ongoing warfare, has further inflamed tensions among those serving in the military.
Following the security cabinet's approval of the new operation, a small organization of reservists in Israel has renewed calls for soldiers to decline military orders. The group, known as Soldiers for Hostages, emphasized on social media the difficulty and emotional burden of refusing orders, suggesting that many soldiers grapple with this dilemma privately. The IDF does not publicly disclose the number of reservists who do not respond to calls for service.
Avshalom Zohar Sal, a reservist with over 300 days of service in Gaza, expressed his reluctance to return to the front lines for this operation, especially given that his last deployment concluded just a month ago. He remarked, "I’m a little in shock that we’re still talking about this war that was supposed to end a long time ago," reflecting the growing doubts among soldiers about the feasibility of the government’s military objectives.
With the military's focus shifting towards a singular goal—the destruction of Hamas—Zohar Sal fears that this could jeopardize the safety of hostages. He stated, "The government talked about two missions: to return the hostages and defeat Hamas. Now it’s like telling us there’s only one goal, which I believe is not achievable." This sentiment resonates with many soldiers facing the prospect of renewed conflict in a densely populated city.
Israel's military, characterized by a relatively small active-duty force primarily composed of conscripts, is increasingly reliant on reservists to sustain its operations. However, the uncertainty surrounding the willingness of reservists to respond to calls for service looms large, particularly in light of military warnings about potential dangers to both soldiers and hostages.
Netanyahu's government has consistently asserted that the worst of the fighting would have concluded by now. Despite earlier promises of an imminent resolution, the ongoing operation now targets Gaza City, home to over a million residents, many of whom are already displaced. Over 22 months post the October 7, 2023 attacks led by Hamas, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has become dire, with over 2 million residents facing severe hunger, disease, and displacement amid Israel's ongoing siege.
According to the United Nations, cases of child malnutrition have tripled in Gaza within a span of just six months. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), has described the situation as “a man-made, preventable starvation,” with nearly one in three children in Gaza City suffering from malnutrition. Despite these alarming conditions, Netanyahu's government has repeatedly denied the existence of widespread starvation within the enclave.
