Israeli Army Reservists Refuse Gaza Deployment Over War’s Direction and Prisoner Deal Stalemate

Watan-Dozens of Israeli army reservists announced on Friday their refusal to return to military operations in the Gaza Strip.

This marks yet another sign of growing discontent within the Israeli military establishment since the resumption of the genocide in Gaza 11 days ago.

According to Israel’s official public broadcaster, KAN, “dozens of reservists in the Israeli army’s medical unit signed a petition declaring their refusal to return to fighting in Gaza.”

The soldiers stated their stance was in protest of the government’s delay in implementing the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian factions in Gaza.

Israeli Medical Reservists Refuse Service Over Gaza War and Policy Violations

In their letter, the soldiers wrote:“We can no longer remain silent and watch the State of Israel being led by its leaders down a path of dangerous self-harm.”

They emphasized that they would not continue serving in the medical unit unless tangible progress is made in advancing the second phase of the prisoner swap.

The letter was signed by male and female reservists from various medical specialties, including doctors, military psychologists, nurses, paramedics, and field medical assistants.

The signatories pointed to one of the core reasons behind their refusal:“The seizure of Palestinian land and calls to settle it—blatant violations of international law”—in addition to the “stalled progress on the prisoner deal,” which they see as a further reason to abstain from participation.

They stated they refuse to continue service or volunteer in the medical unit due to the war continuing “for longer than any logic would allow,” describing it as causing “direct harm to civilians on both sides, weakening Israel’s social fabric, and threatening the long-term future of the State of Israel.”