"Unforgivable": Hundreds of Israeli Air Force Reservists Urge Government to End Gaza War for Hostages' Release
A significant rift has emerged within the Israeli military as hundreds of Air Force reservists and retired officers are urging the government to prioritize the release of hostages held by Hamas, even if it means halting the ongoing war in Gaza. A letter signed by approximately a thousand individuals, including a former chief of staff and other senior military figures, highlights escalating concerns over the safety of the hostages and questions the government's approach to the conflict.
The reservists argue that continuing the war endangers the lives of the remaining hostages and is driven by political considerations rather than genuine security concerns. "Stop the fighting and return all of the hostages—now!" the letter implores, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "Every day that passes endangers their lives."
The Prime Minister's office swiftly condemned the letter, labeling such statements as "unforgivable" for weakening the Israel Defense Forces and emboldening the enemy during wartime. The military has also announced plans to discharge active-duty reservists who signed the letter, though the number of affected personnel is expected to be small.
This public display of dissent from within the Air Force, a critical component of Israel's military operations in Gaza, is particularly noteworthy. The Air Force had previously voiced opposition to the government's controversial judicial reforms in 2023, suspending their protests following the Hamas-led attack in October of that year.
Critics have accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over the well-being of the hostages. His far-right coalition partners have threatened to withdraw their support if he ends the war without achieving the complete defeat of Hamas.
Maj. Gen. Nimrod Sheffer, a former senior Air Force officer and a signatory of the letter, emphasized the increasing vulnerability of the hostages in Gaza. "It is immoral to abandon 59 hostages in Gaza," he stated, adding, "Someone needs to say loud and clear that they need to come home. We can't stay quiet anymore."
Meanwhile, the renewed Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza has resulted in immense devastation, with over 1,000 reported deaths since the conflict's resumption, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israeli officials maintain that the airstrikes target Hamas militants and their infrastructure, aiming to increase pressure on the group to release more hostages.