About 170 graduates of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) prestigious Talpiot program have joined growing calls for the government to prioritize the release of hostages over continuing the war in Gaza.
In a newly released statement, the graduates voiced support for the recent protest by Israeli Air Force (IAF) reservists and criticized the government’s war strategy, accusing it of advancing “political and personal interests” rather than genuine security needs.
Earlier this week, nearly 1,000 air force personnel endorsed a letter urging the government to focus on securing the hostages’ release, warning that prolonging the war would only endanger hostages, soldiers, and innocent civilians.
“The continuation of the war doesn’t contribute to any of the declared objectives, and will lead to the death of hostages, soldiers, and of innocents,” the authors of the letter wrote.
The release of the letter comes as Israel ramps up pressure on Hamas to free 59 hostages still held in Gaza, more than half of whom are believed to be dead. Since the end of a ceasefire last month, Israel has intensified its offensive in Gaza, leading to more deaths and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Days after the initial letter was released, more than 250 Israeli military intelligence reservists and retirees, mainly from the elite Unit 8200, signed a similar statement calling for the immediate return of hostages from Gaza, even if it requires an end to the war.
Since Thursday, soldiers have signed nearly 10 petitions calling for an end to the war in Gaza, according to a tally by state-run news agency Anadolu.
The movement has continued to grow despite earlier threats from Israel’s military to dismiss IAF personnel who signed the public letter criticizing the war in Gaza. The IDF argued that service members cannot use the Israeli Air Force’s name to express political dissent and claimed that the letter undermines national unity during a time of war.
“It is inconceivable for someone to do a shift at [the IAF] command center and head out afterward and express mistrust in the task,” the IDF said. The military added that it is acting purely based on “matter-of-fact interests” and is committed to achieving the objectives of the war, with a primary focus on securing the return of the hostages.
JUST IN 🔴
IDF Chief of Staff and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar has decided that any active reservist who signed this morning’s letter calling for an end to the war will no longer serve in the IDF.
I guess they are not needed any more. https://t.co/rCdLioXg3Y pic.twitter.com/grIwpWFWMj
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 10, 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the decision to dismiss those who signed the letter in a statement on Thursday, stating that their actions amounted to a refusal to serve.
“Refusal to serve is refusal to serve, even if it’s only hinted at in whitewashed language. Statements that weaken the IDF and strengthen our enemies in a time of war are unforgivable,” said Netanyahu.
