Israeli Reservists Refuse Duty as IDF Mobilizes Tens of Thousands for Gaza City Offensive

Tensions and conflict continue to escalate in the Gaza Strip following the Oct. 7 attacks, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. Since then, nearly 64,000 people, including many children, have died in Gaza, and a famine has been declared in the northern part of the enclave amid ongoing military operations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies responsibility for the famine and insists that Israel does not intend to occupy Gaza but aims to disarm Hamas completely. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has mobilized tens of thousands of reservists for an intensified campaign targeting Hamas, vowing to achieve a decisive victory and continue operations until Hamas is defeated. Despite the large call-up, there is notable reluctance among some reservists to report for duty, with dissent stemming from concerns about the war's humanitarian impact, political motivations, and the risk to hostages and civilians. The conflict has also fueled rising global antisemitism, exacerbated by the Israeli government's stance and actions in the war.