Israel Mobilizes Over 60,000 Reservists for Imminent Gaza City Offensive Amidst Military Burnout and Dissent Among Troops

As preparations for a significant military operation in Gaza City intensify, Israel has mobilized tens of thousands of reservists to bolster its forces. The aim is to capture and control the largest city in northern Gaza, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as one of Hamas’ last strongholds.

The operation will necessitate the deployment of an additional 60,000 reserve troops, with the service of another 20,000 extended. Currently, the Israeli military is positioned on the outskirts of Gaza City, according to Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the IDF spokesman, who described this as the initial phase of the larger operation.

Originally, the security cabinet had projected that the takeover of Gaza City could last five months or more. However, Netanyahu has instructed the military to expedite the timeline.

With the conflict now in its second year and no signs of resolution, Israel’s military chief has expressed concerns about the strain on troops, many of whom have been recalled multiple times to fight in Gaza. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF Chief of Staff, voiced concern about attrition and burnout, but his concerns were dismissed as Netanyahu and his coalition partners pressed ahead with new war plans.

A survey by Agam Labs at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem suggests that around 40% of soldiers are less motivated to serve, while slightly over 13% are more motivated. This data underscores the challenging circumstances facing Israel’s military, which could face limitations in manpower as public opinion polls consistently show a strong majority advocating for an end to the conflict.

Military leaders have suggested that drafting ultra-Orthodox men into service could help alleviate the burden on current troops. However, the ultra-Orthodox community has largely refused to serve, and there are ongoing discussions about exempting them from mandatory military service. This debate, taking place amidst ongoing conflict, has sparked anger among many serving soldiers.

In response to the new operation, a small reservist organization in Israel has reiterated calls for soldiers to decline military orders. “Your children do not know how to refuse on their own because it is difficult,” Soldiers for Hostages stated on social media. Other reservist organizations have not publicly advocated for open refusal, but privately, there may be soldiers choosing not to serve.

The IDF does not disclose the number of reservists who fail to report when called up. Avshalom Zohar Sal, a veteran soldier with over 300 days of service in Gaza, is one such individual who has decided he will not return to active duty, particularly for an operation in Gaza City.

“I’m shocked that we’re still discussing this war that was supposed to end long ago,” Zohar Sal told CNN. He and his fellow soldiers have expressed increasing doubts about the conflict, with some questioning its purpose and viability.

Israel’s military primarily consists of conscripts, making reservists crucial for prolonged conflicts such as the ongoing Gaza war. However, it remains unclear how many reservists will respond to new calls to service, especially given concerns about potential danger to both soldiers and hostages.

Defrin, the military spokesman, attempted to address these concerns at a press conference, stating that the IDF employs “intelligence and numerous other capabilities” to safeguard hostage lives. He could only guarantee that “we will strive not to harm the hostages.”

Reservist call-ups are mandatory for many, but the military has shown little willingness to punish or prosecute those who decline or avoid service. Former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz predicted that not all reservists would show up for duty during a protest by Air Force reservists. He encouraged reservists to “act according to his conscience, to his set of rules.”

Netanyahu had promised over a year ago that the worst of the fighting would be over by now. In an interview with CBS in February of last year, he asserted that once Israel invaded Rafah in southern Gaza, “the intense phase of the fighting is weeks away from completion, not months, weeks away from completion.”

Now, 18 months later, Netanyahu states that a new operation is the fastest way to conclude Israel’s longest war.