Israeli captive's father urges soldiers ‘not to obey’ Gaza operation orders

Israeli father Michel Illouz, whose son died in Gaza, took the stage at Saturday’s protest in Tel Aviv, denouncing the Israeli government’s plan to expand its military operation in the enclave.

Speaking to the crowd calling for the release of captives, Illouz warned that the offensive, authorised earlier this week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, could endanger the very people it claims to rescue.

"Our chief of staff said this week that a manoeuvre in Gaza 'endangers the lives of the hostages.' Do you get it? The Israeli government is about to launch a military operation that may endanger the lives of the hostages," he said.

Illouz, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the government's approach, questioned the legality and morality of the planned operation.

"As I see it, this is clearly an illegal order under military law," he added. "And obeying it constitutes a criminal offence. It is therefore an obligation – not a permission, not a right, but a deep obligation – not to obey it!"

He concluded his remarks with a series of searing questions: "I ask you – is a military operation that will kill our hostages legal? Is it moral? Is it humane? Is it Jewish? Is it Israeli? What the hell is this, if not a clearly illegal order?"

The protest in Tel Aviv was part of a growing wave of public frustration over the fate of hostages still held in Gaza and the government’s handling of negotiations.