Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 4th August 2025, 5:07 PM
Hundreds of retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of intelligence agencies, have called on US President Donald Trump to pressure the Israeli government to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.
In an open letter released to the media on Monday, the former officials stated,
“It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel.”
Ami Ayalon, former director of the Shin Bet security service, emphasised the shift in perspective:
“At first, this war was a just war, a defensive war, but when we achieved all military objectives, this war ceased to be a just war.”
He warned in an accompanying video that the conflict, now nearing its 23rd month, “is leading the State of Israel to lose its security and identity.”
Key Points of the Letter
| Aspect | Details |
| Number of Signatories | 550 retired officials including former intelligence chiefs |
| Notable Signatories | Former Mossad heads Tamir Pardo, Efraim Halevy, Danny Yatom; five ex-Shin Bet heads, and three former military chiefs of staff including Ehud Barak and Moshe Yaalon |
| Core Argument | Hamas no longer a strategic threat; military objectives have been met |
| Military Achievements | Dismantling Hamas’s military forces and governance |
| Priority | End the war and secure the release of all Israeli hostages |
| Suggested Next Steps | Delay further targeting of Hamas operatives; pursue ceasefire |
| Role of Donald Trump | Leverage his credibility with Israelis to influence Netanyahu towards peace negotiations |
| Post-Ceasefire Proposal | Establish a regional coalition supporting a reformed Palestinian Authority governing Gaza |
Context of the Conflict
Israel launched its military operation in Gaza in response to the deadly attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on 7 October 2023. The conflict has now persisted for nearly two years.
In recent weeks, Israel has faced growing international calls to agree to a ceasefire that would allow the release of Israeli hostages and enable UN agencies to deliver humanitarian aid.
However, some Israeli ministers within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition have advocated continuing military operations, potentially seeking full or partial occupation of Gaza.
Signatories and Their Message
The letter was signed by three former Mossad chiefs: Tamir Pardo, Efraim Halevy, and Danny Yatom. It also included five former heads of Shin Bet — Ami Ayalon, Nadav Argaman, Yoram Cohen, Yaakov Peri, and Carmi Gilon — alongside three former military chiefs of staff, including former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon, and Dan Halutz.
They asserted that:
“The Israeli military has long accomplished the two objectives that could be achieved by force: dismantling Hamas’s military formations and governance.”
The letter stressed that:
“The third, and most important, can only be achieved through a deal: bringing all the hostages home.”
It recommended postponing further operations to target remaining senior Hamas operatives.
Role for Donald Trump
Addressing President Trump directly, the former officials highlighted his strong credibility with the Israeli public and urged him to use this influence to press Netanyahu to end the conflict and secure the hostages’ release.
Following a ceasefire, they proposed that Trump could facilitate the formation of a regional coalition to support a reformed Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza as an alternative to Hamas rule.
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