Gaza War: Israeli Soldier Opposition Rises
- Discontent is rising among Israeli reservists concerning the ongoing military campaign in gaza, with some expressing deep moral reservations about the conflict.
- Omer Ben Ari, despite a leg injury, initially felt compelled to join the army to defend Israel. However, his deployment to Gaza late last year led to profound...
- While many friends and family supported his decision, others accused him of betrayal and abandoning the hostages.
Growing disillusionment with the Gaza War is spreading among Israeli reservists, with many citing the extensive destruction and high civilian casualties as key reasons for their dissent. These soldiers are increasingly questioning the war’s legitimacy, and their concerns are amplified by government actions and handling of the hostages. This internal opposition,including calls for ceasefires and accusations of the conflict becoming a “revenge war,” places mounting pressure on Netanyahu’s government. News directory 3 keeps you informed. Discover what’s next for the conflict’s trajectory.
Israeli reservists Voice Growing disillusionment with Gaza War
Updated May 31, 2025
Discontent is rising among Israeli reservists concerning the ongoing military campaign in gaza, with some expressing deep moral reservations about the conflict. These soldiers cite the extensive destruction and high civilian death toll as reasons for their growing disillusionment with the war.
Omer Ben Ari, despite a leg injury, initially felt compelled to join the army to defend Israel. However, his deployment to Gaza late last year led to profound disillusionment. Sent back to southern Gaza in March, Ben Ari requested to be relieved of his duties a week into his rotation, stating on social media that he would “no longer wear this uniform under the current government.”
While many friends and family supported his decision, others accused him of betrayal and abandoning the hostages. Ben Ari later detailed his experiences in an anonymous article for Israel’s Haaretz newspaper.
Ben Ari is not alone in his unease. As Israel resumed its military campaign in March, following a ceasefire with Hamas, and imposed a blockade on essential supplies, concerns have grown. According to health officials in Gaza, more than 54,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the conflict began.
Guy Poran, a 69-year-old retired Israeli air force pilot, helped organize an anti-war letter signed by nearly 1,200 current and former air force members. He argues that the reservists aren’t simply tired of war, but believe “this war is not legitimate.” Poran also suggested that Prime Minister benjamin Netanyahu’s political survival hinges on “the extreme right,” who threaten to collapse the government if a ceasefire is reached.
Netanyahu is currently on trial facing bribery and fraud allegations, which he denies.
One signatory of the letter, a major in the air force reserve, said the government’s actions and ministers’ statements about starving Gazans were not characteristic of “a normal, moral government.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not comment on the number of reservists or the size of its forces, but stated that reservists “are a central pillar of the IDF’s strength.”
Another lieutenant colonel in the air force reserve voiced opposition to the renewed military operations in Gaza, fearing that Israeli forces “will probably kill our own,” referring to the remaining 58 hostages.They believe Netanyahu and his coalition are neglecting the hostages to maintain their government.
The army has reportedly dismissed or threatened to dismiss reservists who signed the letter.
Poran stated that there is a growing sentiment that the conflict “has become a revenge war, and that too many civilians are being killed, innocent, children, women, unnecessarily.” He added, “Even the army says it cannot be a long-term solution.”
“You cannot just displace 2 million people,” ben Ari said. “It’s inhuman.”
What’s next
The growing dissent among Israeli reservists adds pressure on the Netanyahu government as it navigates the ongoing conflict in Gaza and faces increasing scrutiny both domestically and internationally.