Refusing to return to Gaza: 3 Israeli soldiers dismissed and jailed
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday (July 27) local time that three soldiers from the Nahal Infantry Brigade have been dismissed from combat duty and sentenced to prison. They were charged with “loss of loyalty” for refusing to return to Gaza to fight. The soldiers cited a “deep internal crisis” as the reason for their decision. The incident was first reported by the public broadcaster Kan, which later confirmed the IDF. According to the report, four members of the Nahal Brigade’s 931st Battalion were removed from combat duty after refusing to return to Gaza. Three of them were sentenced to 7 to 12 days in prison, while the trial of the fourth member is still ongoing. The soldiers had told their commanders that returning to Gaza was not possible for them, as the horrific experience of the war had traumatized them. The report also states that when they made this decision, they were sent to prison instead of treatment. One soldier’s mother told Cannes, “Many of their comrades have lost their lives in the war, they have seen horrific scenes and gone through tragic experiences. All this has left a deep scar on their souls.”
IDF response
The IDF said that the three soldiers from the Nahal Brigade were disciplined for refusing to take part in the fighting in Gaza. The army claimed that the soldiers had the opportunity to speak to a mental health worker, who ruled that they were “fit” to take part in the fighting. However, they were sentenced to prison after they persisted in their decision despite the disciplinary process. The IDF said, “The matter was handled sensitively and in accordance with the rules, and that desertion during wartime is taken seriously.”
Mental health crisis in the army
The incident has once again highlighted the growing stress and apathy within the Israeli army. Suicides among military personnel have also increased since the start of the Gaza war. Four soldiers (including one reservist) have died in suspected suicide in the past few weeks, bringing the total number of suicides this year to 19.
