Israeli Soldiers Urge Refusal to Serve Amid Gaza Conflict

On October 7, 2023, when the full extent of Hamas’s attack in Israel became evident, the nation went to war. For those of us serving in the military, the pain was overwhelming. The sense of having failed to protect our families weighed heavily. Driven by a mix of anger and remorse, we engaged in combat against a merciless terrorist organization that revealed its cruelty in the most brutal terms.

I spent a year fighting in Gaza, initially commanding a tank platoon and later serving as deputy to my company commander. I led ground operations within the Gaza Strip, capturing Hamas strongholds and dismantling their tunnels, weapons caches, and command centers. Each day, compelled by duty, I faced the harsh realities of war: death and devastation at close quarters, the burden of irreversible choices, and the relentless need for clear-headed action under fire.

As time went on, a difficult truth became apparent: our government had lost its direction. While the war began to protect what was most precious to us, it soon became clear that the conflict was prolonged by nationalist populist leaders unwilling to accept the political costs necessary to end it. Instead, the bloodshed was borne by soldiers, hostages, and Palestinians alike.

Gaza has turned into a lawless territory, where military oversight is minimal and personal accountability among soldiers is nearly absent. We have been engaged in a war without a defined timeline, achievable objectives, or a clear exit plan—a situation that undermines the principles of a modern state.

On October 9, 2024, a group of Israel Defense Forces soldiers, myself included, released a public letter stating that continuing service under current policies in Gaza had become impossible, especially given growing evidence that the government was intentionally hindering hostage negotiations. Following this, my brigade commander suspended me from duty, despite opposition from the soldiers under my command.

Now, as the government summons tens of thousands of reservists for the harsh re-occupation of Gaza City, I appeal to my fellow soldiers: refuse to comply. Thousands have already stopped reporting for duty. Some have been imprisoned, many remain silent. This is the moment to raise your voice. It is your responsibility.