Israeli Forces Face Daily Losses as General Hints at Conclusion to Northern Front
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Under mounting casualties and escalating discontent within its ranks, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi hinted at ending the northern front conflict with Hezbollah, underscoring the military’s struggle to achieve strategic goals as the protracted war drags on.
Herzi Halevi, the chief of staff of the Israeli army, suggested during a visit to Jabalia in northern Gaza on Wednesday that the military campaign on the northern front against Hezbollah could end.
“The military pressure we are exerting is bringing us closer to achieving our objectives in Gaza,” Halevi said. His remarks on Hezbollah represent a change in Israel’s strategy, as the original objective of the northern campaign was to return 120,000 displaced Israelis to their homes and force Hezbollah’s withdrawal to the northern bank of the Litani River, as stipulated by a United Nations resolution.
Despite efforts to target Hezbollah leaders and bomb key infrastructure in Lebanon, Israel has struggled to gain traction in ground operations. The conflict has spread to cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv, with Israeli forces incurring losses daily.
On Thursday, the army confirmed that four soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah, raising the military death toll to 56 in the past 24 days—a strikingly high number for Israel.
Mounting Psychological and Organizational Strain
The prolonged conflict has exacerbated internal challenges within the Israeli military. According to reports, around 540 soldiers leave the army each month citing psychological stress. In the first six months of the Gaza conflict, 43 active-duty soldiers and 235 reservists submitted requests for discharge, signaling growing fatigue within the ranks.
Although military service is mandatory for men and women over 18, Israel has long witnessed instances of military refusal. The first such movement, “Brit Shalom,” emerged in 1925, advocating reconciliation with Palestinians. While most refusals have historically come from left-wing groups for ideological reasons, resistance from right-wing soldiers surfaced during the 1990s Oslo Accords when some objected to the evacuation of Gaza settlements.
Protests over Judicial Reforms Spark Military Unrest
Tensions within the military intensified in 2023 following the government’s push for judicial reforms. In mid-2023, 200 reservist pilots announced they would not attend training, criticizing the reforms as a “judicial coup.” The protests spread to other units, including the elite 8200 cyber division, where reservists warned they would refuse call-up orders.
More than 100 military doctors also informed Halevi they would not rejoin the reserves if requested. The situation worsened following the October 7 attack by Hamas, further complicating the military's operational capacity.
Growing Cases of Refusal to Serve
Although acts of military refusal often go underreported, they have become more frequent as the war drags on. Many soldiers have cited psychological trauma as their reason for leaving service. The army’s mental health services have registered more than 75,000 visits in the first six months of the Gaza conflict, with 90% of those seeking help being enlisted soldiers and 6% officers.
The military is also struggling to retain its leadership. Between June 2023 and September 2024, around 900 officers from the ranks of captain to colonel requested discharge, citing a lack of recognition and public appreciation.
Discontent Deepens with Netanyahu’s Government
On October 9, 130 soldiers wrote a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressing their frustration with the government’s neglect of soldiers captured by Hamas. They warned that unless a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas was reached, they would no longer serve in the military. In response, the army announced on October 15 that those who signed the letter would be suspended from service.
Additionally, dozens of soldiers in front-line units have asked not to return to combat roles in Gaza. In August 2024, around 20 soldiers from an infantry brigade requested reassignment, citing exhaustion after nearly 10 months in combat.
Challenges to Military Cohesion
As the conflict continues, the Israeli military is struggling to maintain morale and cohesion. Reports indicate that soldiers are increasingly using psychological stress as a legitimate reason to leave the service. Some have sought mental health treatment, while others have used it as a pretext to avoid returning to combat.
Military experts warn that the situation may worsen. In 2020, the army’s mental health services recorded 47,000 cases, but the number has already surpassed 75,000 in 2024. The growing mental health crisis within the military is becoming a significant challenge, with experts predicting a surge in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases.
In addition to psychological challenges, frustration over the government's handling of the war and internal policies has led to an increase in requests for discharge. The military is finding it difficult to retain personnel, with many officers seeking early retirement.
The combination of prolonged conflict, mounting casualties, psychological stress, and dissatisfaction with the government’s policies is threatening the cohesion of the Israeli military. As the conflict with Hezbollah and Hamas drags on, the growing discontent among soldiers poses an escalating challenge to Israel’s military leadership.
