Israeli soldiers, mothers say ‘no’ to Gaza deployment amid occupation plan

A growing number of Israeli soldiers and their mothers are refusing to return to fight in Gaza, while the regime is pushing forward with a plan to occupy the Palestinian territory.

Despite the risk of imprisonment, newly formed groups are announcing their refusal to fight in Gaza, the Associated Press reported.

The Israeli military said in August that it would call up 60,000 reservists in the coming weeks and lengthen the term of an additional 20,000 reservists as it pushes forward with the occupation plan, starting with Gaza City.

Israelis have staged mass protests demanding a ceasefire deal and the return of the remaining 48 captives, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, slamming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for prolonging the war for political purposes.

Many opponents, including former senior military officials, fear the offensive will achieve little and endanger the lives of Israelis held there.

Israel also faces heavy international criticism over the humanitarian catastrophe unleashed by the war and its blockade of Gaza.

Rights groups said a humanitarian crisis could worsen in Gaza, where most residents have been displaced multiple times, neighborhoods lie in ruins, and Israeli-made famine is underway.

One group urging the leaders of the Israeli regime to stop dispatching their children into war is comprised of mothers who fear their sons will die in vain.

“I couldn’t stop thinking of how to break his leg, break his arm, wound him in some way that he won’t be able to go back,” Noorit Felsenthal-Berger said, terrified her youngest son will be forced to return.

Genocide in Gaza: Entire family killed in latest Israeli strikes on Gaza

Israel has launched more strikes on the Gaza Strip, in defiance of international condemnations, leaving dozens of Palestinians killed.

Avshalom Zohar Sal, a 28-year-old soldier and medic who was sent to Gaza multiple times, noted that soldiers are “exhausted, demoralized and no longer know what they are fighting for.”

“Don’t put me in the position that I need to decide if I’m going to risk again my life,” he said, addressing the military, as he noted that Hamas has “vastly diminished” but is “still lethal.”

A group known as “Soldiers for Hostages” says it represents over 360 soldiers who refuse to fight.

“Netanyahu’s ongoing war of aggression needlessly puts our own hostages in danger and has wreaked havoc on the fabric of Israeli society, while at the same time killing, maiming and starving an entire population" of civilians in Gaza, Max Kresch, a member of the group, said at a news conference earlier this month.

Another group known as “Parents of Combat Soldiers Shout Enough,” also known by its slogan “Save Our Souls,” or SOS, says it represents approximately 1,000 mothers of soldiers.

“We have to be their voice,” said Felsenthal-Berger, whose two sons have fought in Gaza.

Yifat Gadot, whose 22-year-old son fought in Gaza for nine months at the start of the war, said “I told him, ‘We the mothers will do everything we can to get you out of Gaza and save you from this political war.’”

At least three soldiers associated with the “Soldiers for Hostages” group have been jailed this year for refusing to fight, with some imprisoned for up to three weeks, according to the group.

The regime’s genocidal war on Gaza has so far killed at least 64,750 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry of Gaza.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir