Daijiworld Media Network – Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Apr 14: In a striking development, more than 250 former officials from Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, including three of its former chiefs, have called on the Israeli government to immediately end the war in Gaza and prioritize the release of hostages still held by Hamas, according to a report by state-owned Kan TV News.

Among the signatories are former Mossad chiefs Danny Yatom, Efraim Halevy, and Tamir Pardo, as well as dozens of senior veterans. In a joint letter, they warned that the continuation of hostilities in Gaza "endangers the lives of the hostages and our soldiers."

"Every possibility must be exhausted to reach an agreement that will end the suffering," the letter stated. “We call on the government to make courageous decisions and act responsibly for the country’s security.”

This appeal follows a similar letter issued last week by hundreds of Israeli military aircrew members, both retired and in reserve service. Their letter also called for a ceasefire and immediate action to secure the return of hostages.

Following the aircrew petition, Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar ordered the termination of active reserve duty for signatories, a move backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described the protestors as “an extremist fringe group” attempting to “break Israeli society from within.”

Adding to the growing voices, around 200 Israeli military doctors signed another petition on Sunday echoing the same demands. They criticized the continuation of fighting as being driven by “political and personal interests,” rather than serving Israel’s security.

Since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, in which 251 people were taken hostage to Gaza, 59 Israeli hostages remain in captivity, with 24 believed to be alive.

While a three-phase ceasefire-for-hostages agreement was initiated in January, progress on the second phase has stalled. After the initial six-week pause expired on March 1, Israeli forces resumed operations on March 18 amid the negotiation deadlock.

The wave of public dissent from elite security, medical, and aviation professionals marks an unprecedented challenge to the government’s war policy, as pressure mounts for a resolution that prioritizes the lives of both hostages and soldiers.