Dozens of Israeli military veterans, reservists, and former intelligence leaders have publicly urged the government to end the war in Gaza in order to secure the release of remaining hostages.
In a statement reported by Haaretz, 254 veterans and reservists from Israel’s elite naval commando unit, Shayetet 13, signed a letter calling for an immediate ceasefire. The letter stated, “Stop the fighting and bring all the hostages home — every passing day puts their lives at risk.” Of the signatories, 69 are reportedly active in reserve service.
The statement builds upon a series of recent appeals from other branches of Israel’s security and defense establishment. Including letters from more than 1,600 former paratroopers and infantry soldiers, hundreds of former intelligence officials and medical reservists, all demanding that hostages be prioritized over continued military operations.
A separate letter organized by former IDF colonel Eran Duvdevani argued that the war no longer served a security purpose and called for immediate action to secure a deal with Hamas.
Three former Mossad chiefs – Danny Yatom, Ephraim Halevi, and Tamir Pardo – signed another appeal, calling the ongoing military campaign a “political war” and warning that “the sanctity of life takes precedence over revenge.” Their letter was organized through a Mossad veterans society and accused the government of ignoring chances to end the conflict while warning that continued fighting endangered hostages and undermined national values.
Yatom, speaking to NBC News, said Netanyahu’s political survival was driving current military decisions. He pointed to the influence of far-right ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose support Netanyahu depends on to maintain his coalition.
Medical reservists also issued a statement, with nearly 200 officers warning that the war endangers not only hostages but also the moral foundation of Israeli society. “The continued fighting and abandonment of the kidnapped irreversibly erodes the values of the sanctity of life,” the letter read.
The calls come as Israel resumes airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza following the collapse of a temporary truce on March 1. The initial ceasefire saw the release of 25 hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Despite growing dissent among military and civilian sectors, the Netanyahu government has maintained its stance that military pressure is necessary to force Hamas into concessions.
