Israel’s Citizen Soldiers Face Challenges in War Against Hamas
TEL AVIV, Israel — On Monday, 24 Israeli troops lost their lives in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, making it the military’s deadliest day since the ground war began in October. Among the fallen were individuals from various backgrounds, including a tech entrepreneur, an elementary school teacher, and a Bedouin volunteer. All of them were reservists who had put their normal lives on hold to serve in what has become Israel’s longest war since its fight for independence in 1948.
The 360,000 citizen soldiers who have been called up to serve face different challenges depending on their deployment. Some find themselves in the urban battleground of Gaza, while others are stationed along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, facing missile attacks from Hezbollah. Additionally, many have been tasked with reinforcing Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) positions in the West Bank to prevent violence there.
Israel relies on compulsory military service to fill the ranks of its standing army, with the expectation that reserves will be mobilized within 12 to 24 hours in times of war. This current conflict has seen a large-scale deployment of reservists along with the active military force, resulting in roughly 6 percent of the country’s total population having served in uniform during this war. The absence of these reservists from the workforce has had a significant impact on the economy, with the Bank of Israel estimating a 2 percent decline in the country’s economy in the last quarter of 2023. This equates to a loss of around $600 million per week, with the high-tech industry particularly affected as many of its young workforce are on the front lines.
To alleviate the economic toll, the military has started gradually allowing reservists to return home as it transitions to the next phase of the operation in Gaza. However, between 200,000 and 250,000 Israelis are still mobilized without a concrete release date. This uncertainty adds to the challenges faced by reservists and their families.
Reintegrating a large fighting force into civilian life post-war poses another hurdle. The intensity and length of this conflict mean that many reservists have had their first experience of combat. Long deployments like this often lead to a higher incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is an additional concern for Israeli institutions. Tel Aviv University has announced the opening of a national trauma center to address the expected influx of at least 30,000 new cases of PTSD resulting from this war.
The situation on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon also adds to the uncertainty. Some reservists who have been discharged from Gaza have been instructed to train for or report to the northern front, as cross-border rocket fire from Hezbollah continues. With at least 80,000 residents of northern communities evacuated and no diplomatic solution in sight, many Israelis believe that an all-out war with Hezbollah is a matter of when rather than if.
Despite these challenges, Israeli reservists overwhelmingly support the fight against Hamas and believe it is worth the sacrifice. They see this conflict as a sacred duty and understand the necessity of putting pressure on Hamas. The reservists, who come from diverse backgrounds, have shown their commitment by reporting for duty even without official call-up orders.
The current round of fighting has shattered the belief that Israel can rely solely on its regular army and does not need the reservists as much as in the past. The reservists have proven to be an indispensable part of Israel’s defense forces, and the war effort cannot be sustained without them.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, Israel’s citizen soldiers face ongoing challenges on multiple fronts. Their dedication and sacrifice ensure the safety and security of the country, but they also experience personal and economic hardships. While the focus remains on the military operations, it is essential to recognize the impact on the reservists and their families as they navigate through these difficult times.
The article contains insights from Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren and reservist Asaf Eliyahu, providing different perspectives on the war effort and the resilience of Israel’s citizen soldiers.
