Over 600 Former Israeli Security Chiefs Appeal to Trump to End Gaza War Amid Rising Casualties

More than 600 retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of Mossad, Shin Bet, and military chiefs such as former prime minister Ehud Barak, have issued an unprecedented appeal to US President Donald Trump to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war on Gaza. These former officials argue that Israel has achieved its military objectives by dismantling Hamas's forces and governance, and continuing the war now risks Israel’s security and identity, describing it as no longer a just war but driven by political motives. They warn that Israel is on the verge of defeat and emphasize that the conflict could have ended earlier with the release of all hostages in Gaza, urging for a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive hostage deal. The letter and accompanying video message highlight concerns that Netanyahu's government, supported by far-right parties, is prolonging the conflict to maintain political power, despite the devastating humanitarian toll in Gaza, including over 60,000 Palestinian deaths and severe restrictions on aid. The former security chiefs stress that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat and that remaining Hamas operatives can be addressed later, but the hostages cannot wait. Their intervention marks a significant challenge to the current Israeli government's strategy from within the country's own security establishment.