Paul Adams (BBC News, Jerusalem)
Israeli hostility in Gaza continues, but opposition increases. Recently, thousands of Israeli reservists have signed letters requesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to cease fighting and seek deals for hostages held by Hamas. According to former Mossad head, Danny Yatom, Netanyahu is prioritizing personal political stability over hostages. Protesters, including wear efforts by police to suppress images of Gazan children, including images of Palestinians killed in the war, increased sentiment for a new ceasefire.
In addition to the open opposition, more and more Israeli reservists are refusing to serve. This creates concerns for Israel’s military which heavily relies on reservists. With decreasing attendance rates, it’s a crisis on a scale unseen since Israel’s first Lebanon war in 1982.
Yoav, a reservist who previously served in Gaza, stated his changed perception of the war’s logic: “We are very strong and we can beat Hamas, but it’s about losing our country.” Critics argue that the longer the war continues, the harder it is for Israel to maintain its claim of being the “most moral army in the world.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crldw5gklrro
