Former mossad officials criticize Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza

Department of Research, Studies and International News 15-04-2025

More than 250 former members of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, including several ex-leaders, have openly condemned the Israeli government’s decision to resume full-scale military operations in Gaza. Their criticism is rooted in a growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the hostage crisis, as dozens of Israelis remain captive following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack.

The former operatives supported a public letter originally initiated by Israeli Air Force veterans and reservists, which called for a strategic shift in Israel’s priorities, urging the government to focus on securing the safe return of the 58 remaining hostages, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive, rather than prolonging the war.

The letter sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accused him of placing personal and political interests above the safety of soldiers and civilians. It alleged that the decision to resume the Gaza offensive after the collapse of the most recent ceasefire in March was influenced more by Netanyahu’s desire to appease far-right elements within his ruling coalition than by national security considerations.

“The war primarily serves political and personal interests rather than the country’s security needs,” the signatories declared.

The letter, which was published last week, was initially signed by nearly 1,000 retired and active-duty Israeli Air Force personnel. Netanyahu swiftly responded, denouncing the signatories as “an extreme fringe group trying to fracture Israeli society from within” and ordered the dismissal of all active-duty personnel who endorsed the statement.

Following this, additional waves of support emerged from across Israel’s military establishment. Reservists from Unit 8200, the largest and most elite branch of Israeli military intelligence, added their voices to the protest, as did hundreds of military medical personnel.

On Monday, the chorus of criticism expanded further with another open letter, this time signed by over 1,500 current and former members of Israel’s armored corps and paratrooper units, including two past Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chiefs of staff. The letter, authored by retired Colonel Rami Matan, called for an immediate ceasefire and a reevaluation of Israel’s military objectives.

“We are lifelong soldiers. We have driven tanks, led units, and endured the heavy price of war,” the letter read. “It is precisely this experience that compels us now to demand a ceasefire. Why continue to risk lives for goals that cannot be achieved?”

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts have been ongoing in Cairo, where Israeli and Hamas representatives have been engaged in negotiations, with mediation from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Reports indicate that Israel has proposed a deal under which 10 hostages would be released in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire. This pause in fighting would also include the easing of Israel’s blockade on Gaza and the withdrawal of IDF forces from territory seized since March.

A Hamas official, speaking to Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen, confirmed Israel’s proposal and indicated that further negotiations would cover terms for a permanent ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the potential disarmament of Hamas, a condition the group has firmly rejected. Taher al-Nunu, a senior Hamas spokesperson, said the group is ready to release all Israeli captives in exchange for a comprehensive agreement that would include an end to the war and unfettered humanitarian access to Gaza. However, he clarified that Hamas’s disarmament “is not up for negotiation.”

Tensions have also escalated within Israel itself. On Sunday night, protests erupted outside the residence of Ron Dermer, Netanyahu’s appointed head of hostage negotiations. Demonstrators, many of whom were family members of the captives, accused Dermer of obstructing progress for political reasons. Five people were arrested during the protest.

Relatives of the hostages have grown increasingly vocal, expressing anger and despair over the government’s handling of the crisis. Doron Zektser, father of captive Edan Alexander, publicly challenged Dermer, demanding transparency and accountability: “Come out and update us. That’s your job. If you can’t do it, step down. They’re rushing to war while it’s obvious that only a deal will bring the hostages back.”

Despite government statements insisting that every effort is being made to rescue the hostages, critics argue that the return to large-scale military action is undermining the possibility of securing their release, and instead, endangering their lives. The voices of experienced intelligence and military figures now joining that critique signal a significant shift in Israeli public and institutional sentiment regarding the war’s continuation.