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 […]