After nearly two years of war, a growing number of Israeli reservists are publicly refusing to fight in Gaza. What changed their minds? Their decisions offer insight into the shifting attitudes across Israeli society and the huge moral toll the conflict has taken. This post looks closely at why some Israelis who rushed to defend their country are now raising their voices—and putting their reputations and relationships on the line—to say enough is enough.
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The Gaza War: How We Got Here
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel. In response, Israel started a large-scale military operation in Gaza. In those first weeks, support inside Israel for a strong response was high. Many reservists put their lives on hold to defend the country and “crush Hamas.” At the time, the public saw the war as a fight for national survival.
Israeli reservists are civilians who serve in the army when called. Their presence is crucial in emergencies. Historically, they’ve volunteered in large numbers during times of conflict. In the initial days after October 7, this dedication helped shape the national mood.
But as days turned into months, something shifted. With mounting casualties, intense international criticism, and harrowing images from Gaza, Israelis began to see the conflict differently. Some started to question the fighting. More reservists returned home unsure if what they had done was right. The war in Gaza, nearly 600 days on, looks very different from the war many thought they were fighting.
Trends in Israeli public opinion on the Gaza war:
- Early broad support to defeat Hamas
- Rising shock at civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza
- Hesitation and doubt among reservists and families
- Gradual shift toward public debate and ethical concern
For a full timeline and broader context, visit the Channel 4 News Gaza coverage.
Changing Minds: From Fighting to Refusing
The Early Spirit to Defend
Most Israeli reservists felt no hesitation about joining the fight after October 7. They saw it as an act of defense. The question of whether the war was just, or if every target was a threat, rarely came up—at least not in the first weeks.
According to accounts, the rules were clear: act fast, don’t take unnecessary risks, make Israel safe again. Few questioned the government’s actions and few worried about accountability. As one reservist said, “In a lot of ways, nobody would ask questions, because I don’t think anyone held accountability.”
Doubts Take Hold
As time passed, troubling experiences stacked up. Some soldiers saw lines become blurred between fighters and civilians. Witnessing unarmed people shot, sometimes because they seemed like a risk, left many unsettled. One reservist explained, “People who were unarmed were shot because we preferred not to put ourselves in danger. Their lives didn’t matter that much.” That sense of fear and self-preservation replaced what had once been clear moral certainty.
For some, the gap between what they felt was right and what they saw became too wide to ignore. These reservists, who once charged into Gaza believing they were protecting Israel, returned home deeply changed. Many could not reconcile the horror they’d seen with their own conscience.
One Reservist’s Journey
Meet Yamil. He rushed to help after the attacks on October 7 and ended up serving 270 days in Gaza, over two tours. Yamil is part of a group of about a hundred reservists who’ve gone public with their refusal to serve further in Gaza. For Yamil, the tipping point wasn’t giving up on Israel’s defense. It was witnessing the “obliviance [sic] to war’s death of Palestinians and destruction in Gaza.” The scale of destruction, he says, is “definitely a war crime and... unethical and against modern humanitarian law.”
“Our moral decisions that we chose—making this amount of destruction and death—is something that we’ll have to deal with. This is going to be a stain on Israel for a long time now.” — Yamil, Israeli reservist
Facing the Hard Questions
Yamil and others also address claims that the government aims for ethnic cleansing or even genocide. While he says he doesn’t see that happening directly on the ground, he believes it’s “definitely what they say out loud.” Statements from government officials fuel these fears. To understand these terms, see the United Nations definition of ethnic cleansing and what genocide means in international law.
The refusal to participate in such operations, say these reservists, is not about abandoning Israel. It’s about staying true to moral and legal standards—even under fire.
The Faces of Division: Stories and Beliefs
Yamil: Torn Between Duty and Ethics
Yamil’s experiences reveal the toll the war has taken on ordinary soldiers. He believes in protecting Israel. He also believes the current war, shaped by “indiscriminate air strikes,” is hurting far more civilians than necessary. His stand earns him scorn and accusations of betrayal. The pressure to remain silent is huge, but he refuses to turn away.
Rivka Lafair: Unyielding Support for the War
Not everyone sees the war the same way. Rivka Lafair, a spiritual teacher and public face of Israel’s far right, voices strong support for military action—regardless of civilian cost. Living as a settler in the West Bank, she frames the war as a fight for Jewish survival.
When pressed about Palestinian children harmed in Gaza, Rivka doesn’t shy away.
“Children in Gaza, they want to kill my children. I love my children. I love my country, and I’m here. I’m here.”
Even when asked about four- and five-year-olds, even babies, she holds her ground.
Her perspective is shared by many who see Hamas’s attack as proof that every measure is justified. For them, the fight is not just political—it’s about historic survival.
Netanyahu’s Leadership and Public Fallout
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, faces scrutiny for his handling of the war and his ongoing corruption trial. Critics, including some within the military, believe the war’s continuation serves his political future more than national security.
Key political points and reactions:
- Many believe Netanyahu extends the conflict to protect his power
- His supporters dismiss criticism as betrayal
- Public debate is often stifled by harsh social reactions
Backlash Against Dissent
Opposition comes with a cost. Refusing soldiers get called traitor and “against Israel” on social media, putting them under intense personal and social strain. The environment leaves little room for open debate, silencing many who might share similar doubts.
The Price of War: Gaza’s Civilian Toll
Civilian deaths and destruction weigh heavily on those closest to the fighting. Images of bombed neighborhoods and lifeless bodies are, for many, impossible to forget. Reservists report that, all too often, air strikes hit indiscriminately. The sheer scale of devastation in Gaza has forced many soldiers and civilians to question the war’s direction.
International law is clear: targeting civilians and disproportionate force are considered war crimes. Reservations about Israeli operations reference modern humanitarian law, especially the Geneva Conventions.
Ethical challenges faced by soldiers and Israeli society:
- Distinguishing combatants from civilians in chaotic environments.
- Balancing self-preservation against basic rules of engagement.
- Living with the psychological aftermath of causing civilian casualties.
- Reconciling national security needs with global humanitarian standards.
The moral burden is immense, both for those who pull the trigger and for society as a whole.
Back to “Normal”: Israeli Life After 600 Days of War
Life in many Israeli cities, like Tel Aviv, can feel almost normal now. Beaches are busy, restaurants full. Still, the shock of October 7 lingers. Families mourn, and the fear of future attacks hangs heavy.
This contrast is striking. Just a few miles from Tel Aviv, people in Gaza face devastation, yet many Israelis try to get back to everyday life. Some cope by denying or justifying the suffering next door. The distance—both physical and emotional—between Israelis and Gazans seems wider than ever.
Important questions for Israel’s future:
- Will widespread refusal spread among reservists?
- Can society face the moral impact of the war in Gaza?
- How will these divides shape future military and political choices?
Want to Dig Deeper? Follow the Story
For more details and updates, head to Channel 4 News. Reporter Lindsey Hilsum and her team continue to cover the war, bringing stories from both sides of the divide. For real-time updates and video clips, follow them on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
As this story develops, don’t just watch from the sidelines. Share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage with people who see things differently. Greater understanding starts with real conversation—on all sides.
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