Israeli soldiers refuse to carry out ‘urgent’ mission in Gaza

Israeli media reported that a number of Israeli soldiers refused to carry out an “urgent” military mission inside the Gaza Strip that involved travelling in an armoured personnel carrier with a female soldier.

According to The Jerusalem Post, the incident comes as the Israeli military prepares to launch pilot programmes allowing women to take on combat roles.

The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the soldiers, who serve in the Givati Brigade, are part of the Hesder yeshivas programme, which combines religious studies with military service. It said the mission required them to travel in a Namer armoured personnel carrier inside Gaza, but they refused because a female medic had been added to the unit.

The Israeli military said the mission was urgent and was expected to be completed within two hours, stressing that it did not involve spending a long period inside the Namer vehicle.

The military said the Givati Brigade rabbi had approved the soldiers carrying out the mission alongside the female soldier, but they instead sought guidance from rabbis outside the military.

A military source said the company commander spoke to the soldiers and explained the importance of the mission, but they still refused to carry it out.