Israeli Air Force Veterans Urge Hostage Deal, Even at Cost of Gaza War
Nearly 1,000 current and former Israel Air Force personnel have signed a letter urging the Israeli government to prioritize the release of hostages held in Gaza over continuing the war against Hamas. The letter, published as a paid advertisement in several Israeli newspapers on Thursday, argues that military operations no longer serve Israel’s declared objectives and instead reflect political and personal interests.
“The continuation of the war doesn’t advance any of the declared goals of the war, and will bring about the deaths of the hostages, of IDF soldiers and innocent civilians,” the letter states. “As has been proven in the past, only an agreement can return hostages safely, while military pressure mainly leads to the killing of hostages and the endangerment of our soldiers.”
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Though the letter does not call for refusal to serve, its political tone has sparked a backlash within the military. Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar warned that anyone who signed the statement would no longer be allowed to serve in the reserves. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that the letter was not officially received and reiterated its commitment to securing the release of the hostages through all available means.
Among the signatories are high-profile figures such as former IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and former Major General Nimrod Shafir. According to media reports, about 10% of the signatories are believed to be active reservists, with the rest being veterans.
The hostages were taken during Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, which triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Fifty-nine hostages remain in captivity, including 24 believed to be alive and 35 presumed to be dead.
