Israeli citizens said yesterday, Wednesday, that the army should not back down and stop its operations in the Gaza Strip, despite the UN General Assembly’s call for a ceasefire, the increasing number of soldiers killed and the skyrocketing civilian casualties. Palestinians.

So far 115 Israeli soldiers have been killed during operations in Gaza, almost double the number recorded in clashes in the Palestinian enclave nine years ago.

Besides, more than 18,500 Palestinians have lost their lives, while much of the Gaza Strip has been destroyed. US President Joe Biden said yesterday, Tuesday, that Israel is beginning to lose the support of the international community as it bombards Gaza “indiscriminately”.

But polls in recent weeks show Israelis support the army’s ground and air operations, despite the rising number of casualties.. Six Israelis who spoke to Reuters yesterday, Wednesday, said now was not the time for their country to back down, despite the apparent change in attitude of the international community.

The October 7 attack by Hamaswhen about 1,200 people were killed, revived Israeli fears that their neighbors and enemies might want to destroy the Jewish state altogether, political scientist Tamar Herman said.

“People’s sense is that this is a threat to Israel’s very existence,” added Herman of the Israel Democracy Institute, which regularly polls on the war. She noted that the Israelis are ready for more casualties among the soldiers.

From Jerusalem, retired Ben Zion Levinger stated that Israel’s enemies would see any reduction in the intensity of operations against Hamas as a sign of weakness.

“If we don’t take this battle to the end, then tomorrow morning we will have battles in the north and the east and the south and maybe with Iran. So we have no choice,” he commented.

Although the cost is “horrendous,” the aim of the military operation is to completely dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza, said Yuli Edelstein, head of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

“Collateral damage”

After a week of truce in Novembermore than three-quarters of Israelis believe that military operations should continue without modifications that could limit casualties among Palestinian civilians or reduce international pressure, according to an Israel Democracy Institute poll.

The Israeli media reports much less on the effects of the war to civilians in Gaza than the international media. Herman said that while views on the casualties among Palestinians vary according to political affiliation, some Israelis believe these deaths are an acceptable price for their future security.

“There is a sense of revenge firstmainly from the right, and from the left and the center they consider them (including the deaths of Palestinian civilians), I would say, secondary in relation to the achievements of the war (…) they are considered collateral losses”, he noted.

Only 10 percent of Israelis believe the military uses too much ammunition, according to a Tel Aviv University poll conducted in late October.

Adam Saville, worker at a non-governmental academic institute who lives in Jerusalem, said Israel does everything it can to avoid killing civilians. “It’s horrible. It is appalling that there are so many casualties among civilians,” he said. “But it’s war and that’s what happens in war.”

Homers

Another goal of Israel’s operation is the release of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has reported that at least 19 of the 135 remaining hostages are dead. About 100 hostages were released during the seven days of the ceasefire.

Portraits of the hostages with the slogan “bring them home” can be found on walls and bus stops in Israel.

In the past, the country’s authorities have appeared willing to make concessions for the release of hostages, but the October 7 attack, the deadliest in Israeli history, has hardened opinions.

According to polls, Israelis are not sure what the long-term solution should be. However, the Israel Democracy Institute survey showed that more than 40% of Israelis believe that a separate Palestinian state should be sought after the war.

Almost 60% of Israelisincluding 40% of Arab Israelis, cited dismantling Hamas by any means possible as the most important goal of the war, according to the Tel Aviv University poll.

About a third answered that the main goal is the return of the hostages.

“Right now we’re not meeting either” goal, Herman commented. “Most people are prepared to continue until at least one is achieved,” he added.