Over 6,500 Israeli academics, teachers urge hostage deal, end to Gaza war

More than 6,500 Israeli academics and teachers, along with nearly 1,000 parents, signed petitions Monday urging the government in Tel Aviv to prioritize the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip—even if it means ending the war.

According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, approximately 3,500 academics backed a petition supporting an earlier letter by Israeli Air Force reservists that called for the hostages’ return and a halt to the conflict.

“We, members of the academic staff in higher education institutions, join the call of the Air Force soldiers and demand the immediate return of the hostages, even if it requires halting the war at once,” the petition stated.

War serves ‘political and personal interests’

The signatories argued the war “primarily serves political and personal interests,” warning that its continuation “will lead to the deaths of hostages, soldiers, and innocent civilians and will drain the reserve forces.”

They added, “As shown in the past, only a negotiated agreement can ensure the safe return of the abducted to Israel.”

In a separate appeal, more than 3,000 teachers emphasized, “This is not a call to refuse military service, but a plea to save lives,” Haaretz reported.

On Sunday, nearly 200 active military reservist doctors signed a similar petition demanding an immediate end to the war and the safe return of hostages held in Gaza.

Previous petitions have drawn support from Israeli Air Force reservists, armored corps and navy personnel, elite cyber Unit 8200, and special forces units, including Sayeret Matkal, Shaldag, Moran, and the Paratroopers’ 13th Battalion.

One of the earliest appeals was signed by nearly 1,000 air force reservists and was later followed by one with a similar number of academic signatories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to dismiss active-duty soldiers who signed any of the petitions.

Death toll climbs as Israeli strikes continue

Israel estimates that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 22 believed to be alive. These individuals were expected to be released in the second phase of a cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal, which would require Israel to withdraw fully from Gaza and end the war.

However, Israel resumed its military campaign and violated a cease-fire agreement reached in January. Since the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, nearly 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and much of the enclave has been left in ruins.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military campaign in the enclave.