As the war between Israel and Gaza rages on, Israeli soldiers are left to wonder what will happen to the region once the fighting ends. The Israeli Army mobilized hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers in October 2023 as part of a large-scale campaign against Hamas forces. While most Israelis support the effort to destroy Hamas, there is currently no political consensus on how to manage Gaza post-conflict.
One reservist, Lia Golan, who guides soldiers on a Tiran tank at the Israel-Gaza border, expressed her concerns about the uncertainty surrounding the outcome in Gaza. Despite being committed to serving her country, she worries about the losses incurred during the conflict, including Israeli hostages in Gaza and soldiers losing their lives on the battlefield.
The Israeli Army mobilized most of its reservists during the conflict but called up more as fighting continued. The lack of a strategic vision from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on how to end the conflict and manage post-conflict Gaza has caused division and discontent within the wartime cabinet.
Some reservists believe that continued Israeli military control of Gaza is necessary to prevent further conflict from breaking out. They argue that only through military rule can Israel achieve victory over Hamas. Others think international intervention would be a better solution to prevent Hamas from regaining power in Gaza.
Reservists who have returned to civilian life are facing challenges such as mental health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, and uncertainty about their future. Some support military control of Gaza while others call for international agencies to manage the area to prevent future conflicts from happening. The lack of a clear plan for post-war management has led to protests and calls for Prime Minister Netanyahu to resign as people seek a fresh start after the conflict in Gaza.
In conclusion, while many Israelis support military action against Hamas forces, there is currently no consensus on how to manage post-conflict Gaza. Reservists who fought in this conflict are facing significant challenges as they try to move forward with their lives while also dealing with uncertainty about what will happen next in this ongoing crisis between two nations with deep historical tensions and competing ideologies.
