Ten Israeli reservists have reportedly refused to enter the war on Gaza in protest at the ongoing killing of women and children.

An Israel reservist, along with his unit, refused to join the forces in the Gaza Strip on "grounds of conscience" and preferred 14 days in prison than Gaza, Ma'an News Agency has reported.

The ten may be tried for violating orders. The soldiers say they will not take part in a war that has killed hundreds of civilians, including women and children.

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No'em Levna, a first lieutenant in the Israeli army, refused to serve in Gaza saying, "We killed 900 Palestinians in 17 days, including hundreds of children."

"If violence must be used, it should be used minimally, and that isn't what's happening," he continued. "Killing innocent civilians cannot be justified. Nothing justifies this kind of killing. It's devilish."

"It is Israeli arrogance based on logic. It's saying, 'if we hit more, everything will be okay,'" he said. "But the hatred and anger we are planting in Gaza will rebound on us."

This is the first time since Israel launched its massive air, sea and ground assault on the Gaza Strip that such a number of soldiers have chosen prison terms over deployment.