Israeli reservist handed 20-day jail sentence for refusing service: Reports
Ron Finer, a platoon commander in the Israeli military’s Alon Brigade, has been sentenced to 20 days in prison for ignoring orders to report for duty, The Times of Israel reports.
Finer, 26, who said he has already served 270 days since October 7, 2023, stated he’s “morally unable to continue”. He is a member of the Soldiers for Hostages group.
“I am shocked by the never-ending war in Gaza, the abandonment of the hostages and the relentless death of innocents,” Finer said in comments carried by Israel’s Walla news site. “Prison will not silence me nor will it intimidate me – neither me nor my comrades.”
The Times of Israel said Finer’s sentence is the longest given “for a conscientious objector in the war so far”.
Israeli army chief says battle against Hamas ‘not an endless war’
Israel’s army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, says the attack on Gaza is “not an endless war” and the military will “work to shorten it in accordance with the fulfilment of its goals”.
“We are intensifying our activity in accordance with the orderly plan,” Zamir said in a statement made during a trip to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
“Hamas is under tremendous pressure. It has lost most of its assets and its command and control,” he said. “We will deploy every tool at our disposal to bring the hostages home, dismantle Hamas and dismantle its rule,” Zamir added.
Sure it's not endless, at some point there will be no one left alive...
Eyal Zamir, Israel’s new army chief
A true war criminal with a long history, he should have been before the ICC already.
"The casualties caused by troops under Zamir’s command included 1,849 children, 424 women, 115 paramedics and 115 journalists. When asked why his troops had killed 16 Palestinian protestors in a single day, General Zamir stated that his soldiers were simply “identifying attempts to carry out terror attacks under the camouflage of riots.”"
Israel troop seriously hurt after fight with comrade
An Israeli soldier was severely injured in northern Gaza after a physical confrontation broke out with a fellow soldier. The wounded troop was reportedly hit with a kettle in Beit Lahiya, according to the Walla news outlet. He was evacuated to Israeli for medical treatment.
An unnamed Israeli army officer told the Jerusalem Post the situation on the ground in Gaza is “very tense” because of “soldier fatigue”.
“Things can escalate very quickly and that’s why we need leadership at the front. A lot of conversations. Platoon commanders must be alert to what their soldiers are going through in the field,” the officer was quoted as saying.
