Israel Ramps Up for Massive Gaza Operation as Reservist Fatigue Hits Home
As the first moves of a major assault on Gaza City unfold, Israel is calling up tens of thousands of reservists to prepare for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes as one of the final strongholds of Hamas. The scale of this operation is immense: the Israeli military is expected to bring in an additional 60,000 reservists while extending the service of 20,000 others.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are already on the outskirts of Gaza City. Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, the IDF spokesman, called Wednesday’s movement “the first steps of a larger, more comprehensive operation.” The plan is nothing short of a military marathon. Early projections by Israeli officials suggested that the takeover and occupation of Gaza City could stretch on for five months—or even longer. But Netanyahu, pressing for speed, instructed the military to shorten the timeline.
The Toll on Troops
After nearly two years of continuous war, the strain on Israel’s military is palpable. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir raised concerns in a recent security cabinet meeting about troop burnout and attrition. Many soldiers have been repeatedly called to fight in Gaza, and the mental and physical toll is becoming harder to ignore. Yet, despite these warnings, Netanyahu and his coalition pressed ahead, emphasizing the urgency of the next phase.
A survey conducted by Agam Labs at Hebrew University of Jerusalem painted a stark picture of morale. About 40% of soldiers reported feeling slightly or significantly less motivated to serve, while just over 13% said they were more motivated. For a military so heavily reliant on reservists, these numbers underscore a critical reality: Israel may be facing limits to its manpower just as public support for the war remains overwhelming but impatient for an end.
Political Challenges Amid War
Adding to the complexity, military leaders have suggested drafting ultra-Orthodox men to bolster the ranks. Yet, the vast majority of that community has resisted service, pushing the government to offer broad exemptions from mandatory military service. The timing of this political debate—in the midst of an ongoing war—has fueled frustration among active and reservist troops alike.
After the security cabinet approved the new operation, some reservist organizations renewed calls for soldiers to consider declining orders. “Your children do not know how to refuse on their own, because it is difficult. It is almost impossible,” a statement from Soldiers for Hostages read on social media. While open refusal is rare, the sentiment reflects a private tension within the ranks: the decision to serve again is deeply personal, complicated by fatigue, risk, and ethical considerations.
A Veteran’s Perspective
Avshalom Zohar Sal, a veteran with over 300 days deployed in Gaza across four separate stints, is emblematic of this weariness. His most recent deployment ended just a month ago, and he says he has no intention of returning to the front lines, especially to Gaza City.
“I’m a little in shock that we’re still talking about this war that was supposed to end a long time ago,” Zohar Sal told CNN. Doubts that began creeping in last year have only grown stronger, he explained, echoing concerns shared by many of his unit members.
“I think this decision is a death sentence for the hostages,” he added. “The government kept saying we had two goals: return the hostages and defeat Hamas. Now it seems there’s only one goal—destroy Hamas. And even that won’t destroy Hamas.”
The Reservist Dilemma
Israel’s active-duty military is relatively small, largely made up of conscripts. To sustain a war of this scale, the country has to rely heavily on reservists. But with repeated deployments and warnings about the operation’s risks, it’s unclear how many will answer the new call.
Defrin, the military spokesman, tried to assuage fears, emphasizing that the IDF uses intelligence and “many other capabilities” to safeguard the lives of hostages. Yet even he admitted that the military can only promise to “do our best not to harm the hostages.” The reality remains: reservists are being asked to face one of the most dangerous and complex urban operations in recent memory.
Mandatory reserve call-up notices are still in effect for many. But after years of multiple deployments to Gaza, the military has shown reluctance to prosecute those who decline or avoid the call. Former IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz, who led the military during the 2006 Lebanon war, predicts that some reservists simply won’t show up.
“I believe that some of them will stay home,” Halutz told CNN during a protest by Air Force reservists earlier this month. “The war is over a year ago,” he said, calling the current plan “illogical.” Though careful not to openly encourage refusal, he urged reservists to act according to their conscience.
Promises vs. Reality
Netanyahu’s messaging has also been scrutinized. Over a year ago, he promised the war’s worst phases would be over soon. In a February interview with CBS last year, he said that after invading Rafah in southern Gaza, “the intense phase of fighting is weeks away from completion, not months.” Eighteen months later, the new operation is being positioned as the quickest path to ending Israel’s longest war.
Key Takeaways and Considerations:
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60,000 reservists called up: The scale of the upcoming operation is unprecedented.
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Troop burnout is real: Many soldiers have faced repeated deployments and exhaustion is mounting.
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Moral dilemmas abound: Some reservists question the strategy and its impact on hostages.
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Political debate complicates service: Drafting ultra-Orthodox men remains controversial.
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Uncertain manpower: Survey data indicates waning motivation among a significant portion of soldiers.
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Promises vs. reality: Netanyahu’s earlier assurances clash with the ongoing reality of a prolonged conflict.
Israel is now at a critical juncture. The military, stretched to its limits, faces both strategic and human challenges. While leadership emphasizes speed and decisive action, the reality on the ground involves soldiers grappling with fatigue, ethical concerns, and uncertainty about the war’s ultimate objectives. The next weeks will reveal not only the military’s capabilities but also how reservists respond to one of the most significant calls to service in recent memory.
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