‘Red line has long been crossed,’ Israeli soldiers say in letter to Netanyahu

A group of 130 Israeli soldiers has issued a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warning that they will no longer serve if the government fails to secure a ceasefire and does not prioritize the safe return of hostages held in Gaza. The letter, first reported by Haaretz, was addressed to both the Israeli cabinet and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), raising concerns about the ongoing military operations in Gaza.

The signatories, comprised of reservists and conscripts from various military units—including armored brigades, artillery, the home front command, the air force, and the navy—voiced their frustration with the government’s handling of the situation.

“The continued war in Gaza not only delays the release of hostages but also endangers their lives. It is clear that many soldiers have died in IDF attacks. More hostages have been killed in the operations than rescued,” the letter stated.

The soldiers underscored their growing disillusionment, with many expressing doubts about the government’s strategy. “For some of us, the red line has already been crossed, and for others, it is fast approaching. The day is coming when, with broken hearts, we will stop reporting for duty,” the letter continued.

They issued a final warning: “If the government does not reach a ceasefire, we will no longer continue to serve.”