Israeli Ex-Officials Urge Trump to End Gaza Conflict Amidst Growing Humanitarian Crisis

In a striking appeal, 600 Israeli ex-officials, including intelligence heads, urged President Trump to intervene in the Gaza conflict, claiming Hamas is no longer a strategic threat.

A group of nearly 600 retired Israeli security officials, comprising former heads of intelligence and military divisions, has penned an urgent letter to US President Donald Trump, urging him to exert pressure on Israel for an immediate end to the ongoing war in Gaza. The officials voiced their professional opinion, underscoring that Hamas no longer constitutes a strategic threat to Israel. "Your credibility with the vast majority of Israelis enhances your capability to guide Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu towards the right course: End the war, return the hostages, and alleviate the suffering," they stated.

This appeal arises amidst a tense backdrop where Netanyahu is reportedly seeking to escalate military operations in Gaza, even as indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hamas appear to have stalled. The conflict was triggered by Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 individuals taken hostage. The ongoing military campaign by Israel has claimed over 60,000 lives in Gaza, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry, which also reported that at least 94 people died in just the past day, with many victims attributed to Israeli airstrikes. The ministry added that 24 of these fatalities were individuals seeking humanitarian aid amid escalating scarcity across the territory.

The situation in Gaza has grown increasingly dire, with reports of widespread deprivation due to stringent access restrictions enforced by Israel. The health ministry indicated that malnutrition has led to at least 180 deaths, including 93 children, since the conflict began. UN-backed agencies have warned that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently arising" in Gaza.

The retired officials' intervention follows the release of distressing videos by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, showcasing severely malnourished Israeli hostages, which have drawn widespread condemnation from both Israeli and Western leaders. Following this, Netanyahu communicated with the families of the hostages, assuring them that efforts to secure their release would persist unabated. Nevertheless, local media reported that an Israeli official claimed Netanyahu's strategy involves achieving the hostages' release through Hamas's military defeat.

A potential intensification of hostilities in Gaza risks alienating Israel's allies, many of whom advocate for an immediate ceasefire as the ripple effects of starvation become a global concern. The primary organization advocating for the hostages' families denounced any plans for a renewed military offensive, suggesting that "Netanyahu is leading both Israel and the hostages towards doom." This sentiment was echoed in the communication to Trump by high-profile figures such as former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo and ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

They emphasized, "Initially, this was a just war—a defensive war. But once military objectives were achieved, it became unjust." The Commanders for Israel's Security (CIS), the group representing prominent former military leaders, has historically pushed the government to prioritize the return of hostages above all. They concluded their letter with a clarion call: "Stop the Gaza War! Just as you did in Lebanon, it's time to bring peace to Gaza as well."

Global opposition to the ongoing war has intensified due to reports of destruction in Gaza, coupled with growing international isolation for Israel, which is sparking outrage and prompting a shift in public opinion worldwide. As pressure mounts on Western leaders to act, the extent of Trump's potential intervention in the crisis remains uncertain. Despite previously vocalizing support for Netanyahu, the president acknowledged last week that "real starvation" exists in Gaza, a stark contrast to Netanyahu's assertions that such claims were unfounded.