A growing wave of dissent is emerging within the ranks of the Israeli military, as hundreds of active-duty soldiers and reservists have signed petitions calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and urgent negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
According to a report by Al Jazeera on Tuesday, at least 150 soldiers from the elite Golani Brigade have joined the protest by signing a letter demanding a cessation of military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The group’s appeal adds to a growing movement that began last week when over 1,000 Israeli Air Force reservists signed a public petition urging political and military leaders to prioritize diplomacy over prolonged conflict.
The movement has quickly gained traction across various branches of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with additional letters and statements circulated by current and former members of the navy, armored corps, and other divisions.
On Sunday, around 200 military doctors added their voices to the call for change, criticizing the government’s handling of both the war effort and the ongoing efforts to recover more than 100 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza.
While dissent within the Israeli military is rare, this growing protest is viewed as one of the most significant internal challenges to the government’s war policy since the conflict reignited in October 2023.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded swiftly and sternly to the unrest, warning that active-duty personnel who publicly support such petitions could face dismissal.
“This is a time for unity, not defiance,” Netanyahu said during a cabinet meeting on Monday. “Any soldier who undermines our efforts on the battlefield will be held accountable.”
Despite the growing domestic pressure, Israel continues its military operations across the Gaza Strip. On Monday, at least 15 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes targeting tent encampments in both the northern and southern parts of the territory, according to Al Jazeera.
The humanitarian toll continues to mount. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that the death toll in the enclave has reached 50,983, with over 116,000 injured.
The Israeli government has maintained that its military operations are essential to dismantling Hamas and ensuring national security, following the deadly attacks by the group on October 7, 2023, which left 1,139 Israelis dead and over 200 taken hostage.
Meanwhile, diplomatic channels are showing signs of movement. Hamas confirmed it is reviewing a new ceasefire proposal from Israel, though the group remains firm in rejecting disarmament conditions. “It is unacceptable to even hear of disarmament,” Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri told Al Jazeera.
Violence is also escalating in the occupied West Bank, where clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants have forced tens of thousands from their homes.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that 44,285 people were displaced in January and February alone, with 38,710 fleeing conflict in the northern areas.
OCHA issued a stark warning on Monday: “Aid groups are stepping in, but we must not let the West Bank become another Gaza.”
As the conflict grinds on with no end in sight, the growing calls for peace from within the Israeli military signal a potential turning point in public sentiment and political pressure on Israel’s leadership.