The Israeli Knesset has approved the reintroduction of a bill that would abolish the military conscription exemption for certain ultra-Orthodox religious students.

The 63-57 vote late on Monday night pushes the legislation to the committee review stage. The revival of this bill from the previous parliament has ignited backlash from both its critics and those who argue it doesn't go far enough in widening conscription as Israel manages the conflict in Gaza and increasing tensions with Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups in the region.

This legislation proposes a gradual increase in military enlistment among the ultra-Orthodox, who have long been exempt in order to study the Torah. However, the bill also aims to reduce the age of exemption from military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews from 26 to 21, thus reducing the number of individuals who could be summoned for service.

This aspect gained support from far-right and religious parties, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while it faced opposition from centrist and military-aligned factions, who argue the bill is insufficient at a time when Israel's need for soldiers is growing.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant opposed the bill, stating it represents “petty politics at the expense” of the Israeli military. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the passage of the bill “one of the most disgraceful moments of humiliation for the Israeli Knesset ever” and labeled it a “law of evasion and insubordination” in a post on X.

The vote took place a day after former general and war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, along with former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, resigned from the emergency coalition government due to significant disagreements over the war’s management and future planning for Gaza.

The bill was initially proposed by Gantz in 2022 under the previous government, but he now opposes it, arguing it does not adequately meet Israel's current military needs.

The far-right religious parties, which are staunch supporters of Netanyahu, are generally against expanding conscription to include the ultra-Orthodox. Nonetheless, they endorsed the bill to make amendments during the review phase.

“We have a significant opportunity here that we shouldn’t miss. The ultra-Orthodox public should not be cornered,” stated far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is also a proponent of expanding illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Smotrich was confronted by frustrated relatives of Israelis still held captive in Gaza on Tuesday, who implored the government to intensify efforts to secure their release.

About 120 captives, with approximately 80 thought to be alive, remain in Palestinian territory. The Israeli military's recent operations on the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in at least 274 Palestinian deaths and around 700 injuries, leading to the rescue of four captives.

Israeli assaults on Gaza since the war's commencement have resulted in at least 37,124 deaths and 84,712 injuries, with thousands more missing and presumed dead under the rubble. The onslaught was launched by Israel in response to a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that claimed the lives of around 1,140 people.