IDF refusers: The men who volunteered but now won't fight in Gaza

Yuval Green, 26 , was a medic in the paratroops of the Israel Defence Forces when he heard the news of the 7 October Hamas attack.

Yuval is the co-organiser of a public letter signed by more than 165 - at the latest count - Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) reservists, and a smaller number of.

permanent soldiers, refusing to serve, or.

threatening to refuse, unless the hostages are returned.

Three refusers have spoken to the BBC about their experiences in Gaza .

One says he saw comrades boasting about beating 'helpless Palestinians ' Another says he witnessed prisoners being blindfolded and not allowed to move.

The UN has said reports of alleged torture and sexual violence by Israeli guards were “grossly illegal and revolting” and enabled by “absolute impunity”.

A growing body of officers and troops within the IDF come from what is called a National Religious’ background.

These are supporters of far-right Jewish nationalist parties who advocate settlement and annexation of Palestinian lands, and are firmly opposed to Palestinian statehood.

The number of such officers graduating from the military academy rose from 2.5% in 1990 to 40% in 2014 .