- Over 600 ex-security officials urge Trump to push Netanyahu toward a ceasefire.
- Israeli hostage families warn continued war endangers captives.
- Military leadership accuses the government of lacking clear war strategy.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza faces mounting internal opposition, with over 600 retired security officials—among them former heads of Mossad, Shin Bet, and the military—openly calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Meanwhile, families of Israeli hostages have strongly criticized Netanyahu’s push to expand operations in Gaza, arguing that this approach jeopardizes the lives of the remaining captives.
Netanyahu Under Fire: Families and Generals Demand Gaza Ceasefire
Tensions are also escalating within the Israeli Defense Forces. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has reportedly clashed with Netanyahu’s cabinet over the lack of strategic direction. Zamir insists the army has not received clear orders since May, during the controversial “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” which followed the collapse of a previous ceasefire. Without a defined endgame, military leaders warn that the operation risks becoming indefinite and aimless.
The war, which began in October 2023 in response to a deadly Hamas attack, has now entered its 23rd month. According to humanitarian groups, over 60,000 civilians—mostly women and children—have died in Gaza. The high death toll and worsening conditions have drawn widespread international condemnation. Aid agencies stress that only a ceasefire can allow critical medical and food aid to reach the most affected zones.
Despite domestic and global outcry, hardliners in Netanyahu’s coalition continue to advocate for the full occupation of Gaza. They argue that only total control can prevent future threats. However, critics believe this path will only entrench instability and provoke further resistance. Former officials warn that pursuing such an approach without a political solution is “strategically bankrupt.”
Former Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon voiced a broader concern shared by many security veterans: that Israel is losing its identity as a democratic state guided by ethical principles. He called on leaders to pursue diplomacy over destruction, arguing that military victories cannot bring back hostages or repair the nation’s fractured global image. Instead, he emphasized regional cooperation and rebuilding trust.
As divisions deepen within Israel, both military veterans and civilians are urging a shift from force to diplomacy. Without strategic clarity and humanitarian foresight, the Gaza war risks becoming a prolonged crisis with irreversible consequences
“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” — Sun Tzu
