The Independent: Desertion from Service in the Israeli Regime’s Army on the Rise
The English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency and Al Mayadeen, reported that The Independent disclosed a rise in the number of Israeli soldiers deserting or refusing too join the army. This comes as Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists for an offensive against Gaza City.
The newspaper did not provide official figures but acknowledged that new recruits are fleeing military service despite the risk of imprisonment.
In this context,a group called “Soldiers for Prisoners” claims to represent over 360 soldiers who have deserted.
Max Krish, a member of this group, stated at a press conference on September 2: ”Netanyahu’s aggressive and continuous war recklessly endangers our prisoners and destroys the fabric of Israeli society while killing, maiming, and starving the entire civilian population in Gaza.”
another group named “Save Our Lives,” representing nearly 1,000 Israeli soldier mothers, has also been formed.
The Israeli military dose not release precise statistics on absenteeism or desertion. However, one poll found that about two-thirds of Israelis-including roughly 60% of Jewish Israelis-believe Israel should agree to a deal involving the release of all prisoners, cessation of hostilities, and complete withdrawal from Gaza.