New twist in Israel-Hamas war as more than 1000 IDF soldiers rebel due to…; Netanyahu warns strict action, says…

Israel-Hamas war: In a major twist in the Israel-Hamas war, more than 1,000 soldiers serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), have opposed the Jewish nation’s relentless assault on the Gaza strip. In a letter signed by over 1,000 Israeli soldiers, they accused the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israeli government of escalating the Gaza war for political gains, and has not made any serious efforts to bring back Israeli hostages.

Rebellion within IDF ranks?

In the letter, which was published by Israeli media outlets on Thursday, over 1,000 Israeli soldiers questioned whether the IDF’s military operations in the Gaza Strip were actually aimed at rescuing the Israeli hostages or merely a facade to hide the political failures of the Netanyahu regime.

The Israeli soldiers demanded the government to take concrete steps to ensure the return of hostages, even if it means to put an end to the Israel-Hamas war, the letter signed by at least 1,000 reserve soldiers of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), and Israeli army veterans.

The letter comes amidst IDF intensifying its brutal military operation in Gaza, and blocking multiple routes to the war-ravaged strip, which they claim are being used by Hamas to restock weapons and other supplies.

IDF warns strict action

Meanwhile, the IDF on Friday warned about stern action against soldiers who voiced their opposition to its military operation in Gaza, announcing that the rebel soldiers will no longer serve in the reserve army. In a statement, the IDF said strict action will be taken against soldiers who accused the Netanyahu government of fighting the Gaza war for political gains, and not making efforts to bring back the hostages.

“Anyone who creates differences within the army is completely unacceptable. This is a time when we should be fighting together. Raising questions instead of fighting will not be accepted because it lowers the morale of soldiers,” a senior IDF officer said, as per the statement.

Israel-Hamas war

The Israel-Hamas war erupted after the Palestinian armed group staged its deadliest assault on the Jewish State, killing over 1,400 people, and taking hostages, on October 7, 2023. Following the attack, Israel launched a brutal military campaign against the Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, half of whom are women, children, and the elderly.

A ceasefire and hostage release agreement was reached earlier this year, but the peace deal has since broken down, following which Israel resumed its campaign in Gaza, levelling homes and killing at least 1,500 Palestinians, according to the United Nations.

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