A group of around 600 retired Israeli security figures, including former leaders of the country’s intelligence agencies, have appealed directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to step in and pressure Israel to end its military campaign in Gaza.
In a strongly worded open letter, they stated that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel. They believe Trump, given his past influence among many Israelis, could sway Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toward halting the war, securing the release of hostages, and ending the humanitarian crisis.
This plea comes at a time when Netanyahu is reportedly planning to escalate military operations in Gaza, despite ongoing ceasefire talks having hit a dead end.
Israel launched its offensive after a deadly attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, more than 60,000 people in Gaza are reported to have died due to the ongoing military campaign, with dozens killed just in the past day alone, according to local health authorities.
The humanitarian toll continues to grow. Dozens have died while trying to access aid, and nearly 200 people—most of them children—are said to have lost their lives due to hunger and malnutrition. Severe restrictions on food and supplies entering Gaza have created conditions some agencies are calling a full-blown famine.
The emotional appeal from former top officials comes shortly after the release of disturbing videos showing visibly malnourished Israeli hostages in Gaza. These images sparked outrage both in Israel and internationally.
Despite this, Netanyahu remains focused on defeating Hamas militarily. Some believe that continuing the war in this way is putting hostages’ lives at greater risk. One group supporting hostage families condemned any new military offensive, warning that it could lead both the country and the captives toward disaster.
Former officials, including past leaders of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and former government ministers, signed the letter. They argue that while the war may have started as a justified defensive response, it has now gone beyond that point. They are urging a shift in strategy toward diplomacy and humanitarian relief.
Their message to Trump was clear: “You helped end a war in Lebanon—now it’s time to do the same in Gaza.”
As international pressure on Israel mounts and public opinion around the world turns more critical, questions remain about whether Trump will act. Despite expressing concern about the situation in Gaza, including acknowledgment of widespread hunger, he has continued to stand by Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, disturbing reports and imagery continue to emerge from Gaza, including the deaths of children, widespread destruction, and rising starvation. The voices calling for a ceasefire are growing louder, both from within Israel and across the globe. Whether those calls will lead to meaningful change remains uncertain.