A group of over 600 retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of intelligence agencies, have written to US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to immediately end the war in Gaza. The officials believe that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel and that ending the war would be in the best interest of both Israel and the hostages.
The letter, signed by prominent former Israeli officials, including Tamir Pardo, Ami Ayalon, Ehud Barak, and Moshe Yaalon, urges Trump to use his influence to steer Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government in the right direction. “It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,” the officials said. “Your credibility with the vast majority of Israelis augments your ability to steer Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government in the right direction: End the war, return the hostages, stop the suffering.”
The appeal comes amid reports that Netanyahu is pushing to expand military operations in Gaza, despite indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas having stalled. The war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and has caused widespread destruction and suffering. The territory is also experiencing mass deprivation due to heavy restrictions imposed by Israel on what is allowed into Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by the war, with reports of Palestinians dying from starvation or malnutrition. The UN-backed agencies have said that the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in Gaza. The release of videos showing two emaciated Israeli hostages has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for their immediate release.
The open letter to Trump highlights the growing international isolation of Israel, with public opinion increasingly negative about the country’s actions in Gaza. The officials urge Trump to end the suffering and work towards a ceasefire. “Stop the Gaza War! On behalf of CIS, Israel’s largest group of former IDF generals and Mossad, Shin Bet, Police, and Diplomatic Corps equivalents, we urge you to end the Gaza war. You did it in Lebanon. Time to do it in Gaza as well,” they wrote.
The war in Gaza has had a devastating impact on civilians, with many families losing loved ones and facing extreme hardship. The families of Israeli hostages have consistently demanded the government prioritize their release, and the open letter to Trump reflects the growing frustration and concern among Israelis about the ongoing conflict.
Ami Ayalon, a former Shin Bet chief, said, “At first this war was a just war, a defensive war, but when we achieved all military objectives, this war ceased to be a just war.” The former top leaders head the Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS) group, which has urged the government to focus on securing the return of the hostages.
The outcome of the war remains uncertain, with many calling for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated settlement. The appeal to Trump by the former Israeli officials reflects the growing pressure on world leaders to act and bring an end to the suffering in Gaza.