A conscientious objector is an “individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service” on the grounds of freedom of conscience or religion.
Since the conflict reignited two years ago, Israeli reservists have faced a complex array of emotions and choices. Tens of thousands are being called up to participate in Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City, a move that has stirred both resolve and resistance within the ranks.
Crisis in Gaza: Humanitarian Emergency Overview
The Israeli military’s intensified assault on Gaza City, conditions across the region continue to deteriorate, particularly in the south.
The UN’s top aid official has issued warnings about the devastating impact of the war on Gaza’s children, citing numerous civilian deaths in daily activities such as sleeping, playing, or seeking basic necessities.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Impact on Civilians Report:
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with reports of children being killed in their sleep, while playing, or while accessing necessities like food and water. Between 19 and 20 September alone, 51 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were killed in Gaza City due to attacks on residential buildings.
In southern Gaza, families are sheltered in makeshift tents along the beach or overcrowded schools. Many are forced to sleep in the open air amid rubble due to the lack of adequate shelter. Severe famine grips the region. Aid missions face numerous challenges, including restricted movement and security concerns, leading to significant shortages. For example, daily meal distributions in northern Gaza have been cut almost in half. Another human rights violation denied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Several health facilities have shut down, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Since October 2023, 440 malnutrition-related deaths, including 147 children, have been documented.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): Humanitarian Response and Challenges Report
Out of 94 attempts to coordinate aid missions with Israeli authorities, only 35 were successful. No aid has been collected in northern Gaza since the Zikim crossing closure, forcing aid providers to transport supplies from the south.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been urged to implement provisional measures to facilitate urgent assistance throughout Gaza. However, if these efforts stall, international actors can consider alternate approaches. One approach could be to convene an emergency summit involving key global powers to negotiate and strategize on immediate humanitarian aid delivery. Another action might involve forming a coalition of willing nations to create independent humanitarian corridors, ensuring aid reaches those most in need.
Opinion: Understanding the Conflict in Gaza: Key Factors and U.S. Perspectives
In a recent publication by Politico, Jon Finer and Philip H. Gordon provide their opinion on the US and Israeli relations.
Jon Finer is a Carnegie Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Columbia University and was principal deputy national security adviser during the Biden administration. Philip H. Gordon is the Sydney Stein, Jr Scholar at the Brookings Institution, served as National Security Adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris, and authored “Losing the Long Game.”
Israel’s recent actions, including a ground offensive in Gaza and targeting Hamas leaders during ceasefire talks, indicate a desire to escalate the conflict. The Netanyahu government shows little interest in a ceasefire that involves IDF withdrawal and humanitarian aid for hostages. Despite international acknowledgment of a Palestinian state, Israel is considering further aggressive measures like forced evictions.
The Trump administration has largely supported Israel, as has most of Congress, particularly Republicans. Democrats are divided. Strategic considerations, such as the upcoming election cycle, could impact the U.S.’s willingness to adjust conditions on aid. Factors like domestic political pressures, lobbying by pro-Israel groups, and international diplomatic dynamics all influence Washington’s stance. In navigating these variables, the administration may shift its approach to exert influence, aiming to either conclude the conflict or draw public attention to Hamas as the key obstacle to peace.
With growing human suffering in Gaza and shifting public opinion, there’s a compelling case for the U.S. to demand an end to the conflict, supported by majorities in both the U.S. and Israel.
Division Among Israeli Reservists: Conscientious Refusal
While the majority of reservists have responded to the call without hesitation, a notable minority have chosen to refuse participation. These individuals question the objectives of a war that commenced following a brutal attack by Hamas. Their refusal is significant in a nation where military service is deeply ingrained in the national identity.
Yonathan, an Israeli reservist who uses a pseudonym, exemplifies the internal conflict faced by some soldiers. After publicly condemning the war, he was expelled from the army—a rare consequence illustrating the gravity of his dissent. His sadness and frustration highlight the moral dilemmas confronting reservists essential to Israel’s military operations.
The Scale of Mobilization by Operation Gideon’s Chariots
The military strategy, Operation Gideon’s Chariots, aims to establish control over Gaza City. On August 20, the military announced the call-up of 60,000 reservists, with an additional 20,000 being extended for service.
This large-scale mobilization highlights the crucial role that reservists play in the conflict. Historically, this mobilization draws parallels to major call-ups, such as those during the Yom Kippur War of 1973, but differs sharply in its context and implications, underscoring the unique circumstances unfolding today.
The ground offensive saw an intensification on September 16, with significant Palestinian casualties. As the operation progresses, the moral and political implications of these actions continue to be a topic of heated debate within Israeli society.
Growing Resistance: “Soldiers for Hostages”
Though few in number, the refusals by reservists are unprecedented. These actions are often motivated by moral and political beliefs, and those who choose this path face significant repercussions, including potential loss of employment and personal relationships.
In a country where the army occupies a central societal role, the refusal to serve is not merely a personal decision but a statement that challenges the status quo. The voices of dissenting reservists add a critical perspective to the ongoing dialogue about the conflict’s justification and impact.
A group called Soldiers for Hostages claims to represent over 360 soldiers who have decided to refuse military service. Such acts of refusal can lead to imprisonment, although only a few individuals have faced jail time thus far.
Max Kresch, a member of the organization, stated, “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.”
Conscientious Objection and Growing Civilian Military Refusal
Itamar Greenberg, an Israeli activist, stated, “I cannot wear a uniform that represents killing and oppression,” as he refuses to serve in the Israeli army.
In an interview with Amnesty International, Itamar Greenberg, an 18-year-old Israeli conscientious objector, has been imprisoned five times at Neve Tzedek military prison for refusing to enlist in the army.
Amnesty International is a global movement of over 10 million individuals committed to ensuring human rights for all. Funded by its members, the organization operates independently of political, economic, or religious influences. It stands with victims of human rights violations worldwide and is dedicated to uncovering the truth and holding violators accountable.
Microsoft’s Decision to Restrict Israeli Military Units’ Access to Mass Surveillance Technology
In a recent publication, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, concludes that Microsoft’s decision sends a clear message to all companies, including other major tech corporations, that they must address their involvement in the global political economy that supports Israel’s actions against Palestinians. This includes the ongoing violence in Gaza, the apartheid system affecting all Palestinians under Israeli control, and the unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories.
A Call For Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Invention?
Israeli reservists, US military personnel, and all other related individuals have the right to conscientious refusal and the right to protection as per Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
In international law, conscientious objection is recognized as the right to refuse military service based on the principles of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, as outlined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The UN Human Rights Committee emphasizes that states must provide alternative service for conscientious objectors, primarily regarding military duty. This principle can extend to areas where personal beliefs conflict with legal responsibilities, though its application outside military contexts, like healthcare, is less established.
The legal foundation for this right includes Article 18 of the ICCPR and the Universal Declaration, which support the freedom to manifest beliefs, along with General Comment No. 22 (1993), highlighting conscientious objection. While the refusal of compulsory military service is central, the application in other sectors remains underdeveloped in international law.
Citations:
1 Rérolle, R. (2025, September 22). Israeli reservists called up to Gaza torn between doubt and duty. Le Monde.fr. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/09/20/israeli-reservists-called-up-to-gaza-torn-between-doubt-and-duty_6745587_4.html
2 Gaza City suffering escalates as Israeli strikes inflict more heavy casualties. (2025, September 25). UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/09/1165948
3 (No date) Opinion | it’s time to impose conditions on aid to Israel – politico. Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/09/25/israel-weapons-aid-gaza-00575895 (Accessed: 25 September 2025).
Amnesty International. (2025, March 28). “I couldn’t wear a uniform that symbolizes killing and oppression” – Israeli activist who refuses to serve in the Israeli army. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2025/03/i-couldnt-wear-a-uniform-that-symbolizes-killing-and-oppression-israeli-activist-who-refuses-to-serve-in-the-israeli-army/