The government's actions regarding citizens held hostage by HAMAS have been criticized in a letter signed by reservist military members and retired officers, highlighting a deep divide within the Israeli army over the war, as demonstrated.
Hundreds of reservist soldiers and former officers of the Israeli Air Force have signed a petition calling on the Israeli government to reach an agreement with HAMAS and bring back the hostages. It was emphasized that even stopping the war in Gaza might be necessary.
Nearly a thousand people, including a former Chief of Staff and other high-ranking military officials, signed this letter, exposing internal conflicts within the Israeli army. The Air Force plays a decisive role in the war in Gaza — their aerial strikes have devastated a large part of the enclave, killing thousands of people.
This petition showed increased concerns about the fate of the hostages after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and HAMAS in March 2024 proved ineffective. They have been held in Gaza by HAMAS militants for more than 18 months.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration immediately responded to this letter, stating that “statements that weaken the Israeli defense forces and strengthen the enemy during military actions are inexcusable actions,” expressing opposition.
The Israeli army has decided to discharge the active service reservist soldiers who signed the letter. However, most of those who signed are retired military personnel, indicating that the dismissals may not be widespread. It is not clear when this process will be implemented.
This petition was one of the most massive criticisms against the government's way of conducting the war by members of the Air Forces. Similar criticisms had previously been highlighted during nationwide protests against government reforms in 2023. At that time, military pilots had threatened to leave service.
The protests were halted following HAMAS's attack in October 2023. However, this year the government again started to attempt reforms in the judiciary system, including increasing political control over the selection of judges.
During the war, Israel's top military leaders repeatedly demanded a secret ceasefire. This was intended to free the hostages and give soldiers a break. After a temporary truce in January, negotiations broke off, and the war resumed.
In the letter signed on Thursday, it was stated: “Continuing the war will lead to the death of the hostages. This is a struggle for political interests, not security,”.
“Stop the fight and bring back all the hostages — now! Every passing day puts their lives at risk”.
Netanyahu's critics accuse him of prioritizing his personal political interests over the fate of the hostages. If the war is stopped without fully destroying HAMAS, his far-right coalition threatens to leave him.
A former high-ranking Air Forces official, Major General Nimrod Sheffer, confirmed he was among those who signed the letter, saying, “Leaving behind 59 Israeli hostages in Gaza is morally unacceptable,”.
“Someone has to speak out. They must return home. Silence cannot be maintained.”
For Palestinians in Gaza, however, Israel's new bombings are leading to dire consequences. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 1,000 people have died since the war resumed. (Previously, nearly 50,000 women and children had died).
Israeli officials say the air strikes are targeting HAMAS militants and their weapons infrastructure. They aim to force HAMAS to release the hostages with these attacks.
On Thursday, the Israeli army announced the death of a HAMAS commander who participated in the attack on October 7, 2023. On the same day, the Gaza emergency services reported that an air strike in the Shajaiya district of Gaza City killed at least 23 people, including 8 children. Israel accuses HAMAS of placing its positions in civilian areas.
According to the Health Ministry, the bodies of another 40 people killed in an Israeli strike were delivered to hospitals across Gaza on Wednesday.
The latest Israeli strike, conducted alongside mass evacuation orders, covers more than half of Gaza territory. According to a New York Times analysis, this information is based on maps of the Israeli army. Satellite images show the Israeli army has surrounded Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, from two sides.
Last week, Netanyahu mentioned the establishment of a new corridor in Gaza. This “Morag corridor” could potentially separate Rafah from the main part of Gaza. This corridor might be named after the Morag settlement from which Israel withdrew in 2005.
Abdulloh Sayyid
