Over 250 ex-Mossad officers urge Israel to end Gaza war, hostage release

More than 250 former officials from Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad released a petition Sunday night calling for an immediate cessation of the Gaza conflict in order to facilitate the release of all hostages, according to Israeli media.

The petition marks the latest expression of growing dissent within Israel’s security establishment. Since Thursday, at least six petitions have been signed by reservists, retired officers, and veterans from various branches of the Israeli military.

The petition, initiated by former senior Mossad officer Gail Shorsh, is signed by three former Mossad chiefs — Danny Yatom, Ephraim Halevy, and Tamir Pardo — as well as dozens of department heads and deputy department heads within the agency, according to Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth.

This is the second petition within 24 hours to be signed by former or current members of Israel’s security forces.

Earlier Sunday, around 200 active military reservist doctors also signed a petition demanding an end to the war and the safe return of hostages held in Gaza.

Previous petitions have included signatories from Israeli Air Force reservists, armored corps and navy personnel, elite cyber Unit 8200, special forces such as Sayeret Matkal, Shaldag, Moran, and the Paratroopers’ 13th Battalion.

One of the earliest petitions garnered support from nearly 1,000 air force reservists and was followed by one signed by a similar number of Israeli academics.

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

Death toll rises amid continued Israeli strikes

Israel estimates that 59 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with at least 22 alive. These hostages were expected to be released in the second phase of a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange agreement, which would require Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza and end the war permanently.

However, Israel renewed its assault and violated a January cease-fire agreement. Nearly 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, and the enclave has been reduced to rubble.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in Gaza.