Hundreds of Former Israeli Security Officials Urge Trump to Intervene in Gaza Conflict

In a rare and unified move, over 600 retired Israeli security officials—including former Mossad and Shin Bet chiefs, senior military leaders, and ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak—have signed a public appeal calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to help bring an immediate end to Israel’s military operation in Gaza. The letter, published in Israeli media and widely circulated online, warns that the continuation of the war endangers both Israeli hostages still held in Gaza and the broader security of the state.

Signatories include prominent figures such as former Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon and ex-Mossad chief Tamir Pardo. They argue that Israel’s ongoing offensive, which has entered its tenth month, has lost strategic justification, with Hamas no longer posing a significant military threat. The former officials emphasized that further escalation risks prolonging the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and weakening Israel’s international standing.

This unprecedented appeal comes amid increasing domestic tension in Israel, where military leaders are reportedly clashing with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the conflict. According to reports, Israel’s current army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has advised against expanding the military campaign to fully reoccupy Gaza, warning it could exhaust military resources and worsen regional instability.

The letter also highlights the critical situation of Israeli hostages still believed to be in Hamas custody. The former officials accuse Netanyahu of failing to prioritize their safe return and warn that prolonging the war jeopardizes their lives.

The appeal has sparked widespread debate across Israeli society and international forums. Many observers noted its conspicuous absence in major U.S. media coverage, despite its significance. The signatories urged President Trump to use his influence to help broker a ceasefire and push Israel towards diplomatic solutions.

This appeal marks one of the strongest expressions of dissent from Israel’s security establishment against the Netanyahu government’s war policy, underscoring a growing rift between political leadership and military strategy. As the humanitarian toll mounts in Gaza and political pressure intensifies, calls for an immediate ceasefire are gaining momentum both inside and outside Israel.