Egypt Daily News – As the war on Gaza continues, opposition is rising—even within the Israeli military. A growing number of reservists are refusing to take up arms again, with several former soldiers publicly denouncing a war they say no longer has the goal of freeing the hostages. This unprecedented protest movement is undermining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
“Gaza is nothing but rubble now, there’s nothing left, and the Israeli army is planning yet another maneuver with no clear objective,” said Yuval Ben Ari, a 40-year-old soldier who re-joined the front lines after being called up for reserve duty. He had volunteered immediately after the October 7, 2023 attacks and served in operations in Lebanon, the Netzarim corridor, and southern Gaza. But after a few days of combat, he says he realized he had made a mistake.
Speaking to Haifa Radio, he recounted: “With deep sadness, guilt, and a strong sense of responsibility, I approached my commander and asked to be released from duty. I will never wear the uniform under the current government.” He added, “I have no trust in Israeli leadership. I don’t want to be part of this. I’m not the only one. It seems the army’s actions are no longer useful and have nothing to do with bringing the hostages back.”
Such testimonies have multiplied in recent weeks. A growing number of reservists are calling for an end to the war to ensure the hostages’ release, and they are openly criticizing Netanyahu’s policies—especially after the government broke the ceasefire that began on March 18.
“Point of No Return”
The group Soldiers for the Hostages, founded by reservist Yuval Green, shares testimonies on Instagram from these soldiers, whom the military now considers deserters. Green, a 26-year-old medical student and former paratrooper, left his weapon behind during an operation in Khan Younis in January 2024, marking the start of his anti-war activism.
Green described the moment he turned against the war: “The turning point was when our commander told us to set fire to a house we had just left. I asked him, ‘Why are we doing this? Why burn a home a family might return to?’ He said it wasn’t his concern. I told him I wouldn’t take part in the operation.”
According to the Israeli-Palestinian magazine 972+, more than 100,000 reservists have stopped reporting for duty. Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that only 60% of reservists responded to call-ups in March.
In Israel, reserve duty is mandatory for those who have completed military service, up to the age of 40. Reservists undergo yearly training and keep their uniforms and gear at home, collecting their weapons upon arrival at their units. Those who refuse service are labeled “refuseniks” and may face legal consequences.
A Wave of Protest
An open protest has erupted, even within elite army units. On April 10, around 1,000 individuals—including pilots, reservists, and retirees—signed a public letter calling on the government to prioritize the hostages’ release, even if it means ending the war. The letter, published by Israeli media, stated: “This war serves political and personal interests, not security.”
The protest gained support from hundreds of naval reservists, members of the elite intelligence Unit 8200, and Mossad operatives, all of whom issued similar public statements. Around 100 former students from Israel’s prestigious Institute for National Security Studies also joined the call.
Prime Minister Netanyahu responded, saying: “Statements that weaken the Israeli Defense Forces and strengthen our enemies during wartime are unforgivable.” A military spokesperson claimed most signatories were not active reservists, and those who were would be discharged.
Netanyahu insists that increasing military pressure is the only way to force Hamas to release the hostages. But anti-war voices—active soldiers and reservists alike—argue that the war is politically motivated.
Among the signatories was Avner Yarkoni, a colonel and fighter pilot, who told France24: “This letter isn’t condemning the war—it’s calling for the release of the hostages.” Yarkoni, a lawyer who’s served in the IDF for over 30 years, said the war’s continuation is “politically driven.” He added, “This isn’t about the army; it’s about Netanyahu and the strategy he’s committed to.”
Former air force helicopter pilot Guy Boran believes Netanyahu’s main goal is to stay in power. Speaking to France24, he said, “Netanyahu threw the ceasefire deal in the trash the moment the far right threatened to leave his government.” He decried the “lack of logic” in how the war is being run, adding, “We need a deal to free the hostages. This war is endangering their lives—and those of soldiers and innocent Palestinians.”
“Disillusioned” Reservists
972+ reported that many reservists who have resisted draft orders in recent months aren’t driven by ideological opposition to the war but are instead disillusioned, exhausted, or frustrated by the lack of a timeline for its end.
A growing minority of reservists are refusing to fight in Gaza for moral reasons. Yuval Green noted that even people who don’t necessarily sympathize with Palestinians are increasingly unconvinced by the war’s objectives.
Economic concerns are also a factor. In a recent employment survey, 48% of reservists said they suffered significant income losses since October 7, and 41% reported being fired or forced to quit jobs due to prolonged reserve duty.
On April 15, former hostages and their families issued their own public letter. It appears this rising wave of pressure is gaining public support: a recent poll by Israel’s Channel 12 showed that about 70% of Israelis support ending the war in exchange for a deal to release the remaining hostages.
