‘The Platoons Are Empty’: Israeli Army Battles Low Morale, Soldier Defections

from Mint Press News

The Israeli Hebrew media outlet Ha-Makom has reported that Israeli soldiers are experiencing a significant lack of motivation, with some refusing to report for service. Many within the ranks reportedly see the ongoing war in Gaza as futile, while the army attempts to keep this crisis under wraps.

The October 23 report revealed a crisis within the army, as soldiers increasingly refuse to return to combat after engagements in the Gaza Strip. The piece, based on interviews with over 20 soldiers and their parents, highlighted concerns over incomplete missions, unclear objectives, and the heavy toll on the battlefield, with many questioning the purpose and outcomes of their efforts.

“The platoons are empty; everyone who is not dead or injured is mentally damaged. There are very few left who returned to fight, and they are not completely healthy either,” said the parent of a soldier serving in the Nahal Brigade. In the 11th deployment of this brigade, it was noted that out of a platoon of 30 soldiers, only six decided to return to the battlefield...

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