Israeli Reservists Demand Immediate End to Gaza War, Calling It 'Immoral and Political'

In a significant act of dissent, more than 1,200 current and former Israeli military officers have signed an open letter demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the return of all hostages. The signatories, spanning various branches of the Israel Defense Forces, assert that the ongoing war has become a political endeavor that no longer serves Israel's security interests and is therefore immoral.

The letter, initiated by members of the Israeli Air Force who previously called for the hostages' release even at the cost of ending the war, states:

The signatories warn that continuing the war contradicts the will of the majority of the Israeli public, endangers the lives of hostages, soldiers, and innocent civilians, and may lead to the commission of war crimes. They describe the conflict as one that facilitates the occupation of Gaza and serves the messianic vision of a small minority within Israeli society.

The prolonged conflict, which began after the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, has led to widespread fatigue among reservists and their families, with many questioning the war's objectives.

Despite the mounting dissent, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the protestors as a "marginal and extremist group" and supports the dismissal of reservists who signed the letter. The Israeli military has indicated that active reservists who endorsed the letter may face termination from service.