Chaos In Jerusalem, Stalemate In Rafah

Jewish men and women in Israel are required to serve in the military at the age of 18, but the ultra-Orthodox, who are politically powerful, are exempt if they study full-time in religious centers.

As expected, following the announcement of mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, the Haredi extremists, instead of reporting to military recruitment centers, gathered in the streets of Jerusalem to express their strong protest.

The Haredis chanted slogans against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and demanded to prevent the approval of this law.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attempted to access the city center but were confronted by water cannons and mounted police. The police clashed with Haredi protesters and dispersed them.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet is working on a draft law that aims to extend mandatory military service to all young settlers, including the Haredis. The proposed law would increase the mandatory service period from 32 months to 36 months and would apply to current conscripts as well.

Ultra-orthodox Jews are a segment of the Israeli society that emphasizes the religious texts of the Talmud and wants to form a government based on Jewish race and religion. The ultra-orthodox Jews have distinct behavioral characteristics, leading them to form separate communities. They typically oppose the two-state solution and the establishment of a democratic Israel.

Israeli circles consider the Haredi issue an intractable problem and believe that the conflict between Netanyahu and the Haredi religious leaders will persist, leading to more surprises.

While the political situation in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is critical and tense, the military situation in the Gaza Strip and Rafah is no better for the Israeli regime.

Battles have been going on for weeks in Rafah without any significant progress. There is a confusion in the operational process of the Israeli army. The fighting in the Gaza Strip is ongoing with no clear resolution in sight.

Yesterday, Palestinian groups detonated a building in Rafah where Israeli forces were stationed. As a result of this attack, one Israeli soldier was killed and at least eight others were wounded.

According to the Israeli army, a total of 672 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Among them, at least 310 soldiers lost their lives in the battles in the Gaza Strip.

Many experts believe that the Israeli army casualties are likely much higher than the officially reported numbers, but Israel refuses to disclose the real figures.

Israel has been waging an atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian groups launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, on October 7. At least 37,834 Palestinians have been killed and more than 86 thousands wounded so far, most of them women and children.

Originally posted on SouthFront