More Than 600 Former Israeli Security Chiefs Urge Trump to End Gaza War

Call for Diplomatic Solution Amid Starvation Crisis and Failed Military Objectives

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Left-Leaning

Why: The article highlights humanitarian consequences in Gaza, criticizes Israeli leadership, and amplifies voices calling for a ceasefire, which aligns with progressive and anti-war perspectives.

What Happened

More than 600 former senior Israeli security officials have sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene and help end Israel’s war on Gaza.

The appeal was sent on Sunday and includes signatories such as former Mossad head Tamir Pardo, former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon, and former Israeli army deputy chief Matan Vilnai.
The letter argues that Israel has already achieved its military objectives and that the only way to secure the release of remaining captives is through a diplomatic deal.

Who Is Behind The Letter

The initiative comes from the group Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), a coalition of former Israeli generals and intelligence leaders.

The group shared the letter on social media, stating: “Everything that could be achieved by force has been achieved.”
They called on Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change course and pursue a negotiated solution.

Key Claims In The Letter

According to CIS, the Israeli army has met two out of its three stated goals:

Dismantling Hamas’s Military Infrastructure
Undermining Hamas’s Governance In Gaza

However, the third objective — the return of Israeli hostages — can only be achieved through diplomacy, the letter says.

“Stop the Gaza War! You did it in Lebanon. Time to do it in Gaza as well,” the message to Trump reads.
The letter emphasizes that Trump’s credibility is on the line in influencing Netanyahu’s decisions.

Context: Crisis In Gaza

The letter comes as global outrage grows over worsening conditions in Gaza, where starvation and displacement continue.

Recently released videos showed two severely malnourished Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Over two million Palestinians remain trapped under siege, with aid organizations reporting widespread hunger and infrastructure collapse.

Despite evidence of widespread suffering, Netanyahu has publicly denied that a famine is occurring among Palestinians. Instead, he accused Hamas of starving Israeli captives.

Hamas Responds

Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, released a statement saying:

Israeli hostages are receiving the same food as fighters and civilians.
"They will not receive any special privilege amid the crime of starvation and siege,” said spokesman Abu Obeida.

Meanwhile, Hamas said it was open to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) providing aid to captives after Netanyahu formally requested the organization’s intervention.

The Human Toll

The war in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has left more than 60,800 Palestinians dead, according to local sources.

Most of the victims are reported to be women and children.
Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have destroyed large parts of Gaza, leaving much of the territory uninhabitable.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that the region is on the brink of famine.

Legal And International Pressure

Israel is currently facing multiple legal challenges over its conduct in Gaza:

In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Separately, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is reviewing a genocide case filed against Israel.
Numerous rights organizations have labeled the war as a form of genocide due to the high civilian death toll and the scale of destruction.

What’s Next

The former Israeli security chiefs are urging a strategic pivot away from military force toward diplomacy.

Their message to Trump is based on his previous involvement in brokering de-escalation in Lebanon.
With negotiations stalled and humanitarian conditions worsening, pressure is growing from both within and outside Israel for a change in approach.