Dozens of medical reservists said to refuse return to Gaza combat

Dozens of reservists from the Medical Corps have declared their refusal to return to combat in the Gaza Strip, citing ethical and legal aspects and the extension of the conflict “beyond all reason,” Kan news reported this evening.

The outlet reported that a letter on the subject was signed by medical professionals of various ranks, including doctors, paramedics, mental health officers and nurses.

The reservists said the war is causing harm “to civilians on both sides, to Israel’s social fabric, and to the country’s long-term survival.”

They also noted “the takeover of territories and the call to settle them” in Gaza, “in violation of international law.”

The military is believed to be facing a growing problem of reservists not showing up for duty, both due to fatigue from many rounds of reserve duty over the past 16 months and due to rising anger at the hard-right government’s external and internal policies.