A coalition of over 600 retired Israeli security leaders, including former intelligence chiefs and high-ranking military officers, has called on former U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene and push for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The group, which includes ex-Mossad director Tamir Pardo and former Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon, argued in an open letter that Hamas no longer presents a strategic threat to Israel. They emphasized Trump’s influence over Israeli leadership, urging him to persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt military operations, secure the release of hostages, and alleviate humanitarian suffering.
The appeal follows stalled ceasefire negotiations and reports that Israel is considering expanding its offensive. The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to 251 hostages, has since resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Severe restrictions on aid deliveries have also triggered a malnutrition crisis, with at least 180 deaths—including 93 children—attributed to starvation.
Recent videos released by Hamas showing emaciated Israeli captives intensified global condemnation. Netanyahu assured families of ongoing efforts to secure hostages’ release, but critics accuse his government of prioritizing military action over diplomacy. Former officials warned that prolonging the war risks further isolating Israel internationally, as public opinion shifts against its campaign.
The signatories, part of the advocacy group Commanders for Israel’s Security, stressed that while the war initially had defensive justification, its continuation now serves no strategic purpose. They urged Trump to replicate his past diplomatic successes, such as brokering ceasefires in Lebanon, to help resolve the Gaza crisis.
Meanwhile, international pressure mounts, with aid agencies warning of famine and Western leaders facing calls to demand an immediate truce. The U.S. has maintained its support for Israel, though Trump recently acknowledged Gaza’s dire food shortages—contradicting Netanyahu’s denials.
As global protests and diplomatic tensions escalate, the letter underscores growing dissent within Israel’s security establishment over the war’s trajectory and its humanitarian consequences.
