Israel hit with wave of petitions demanding Gaza war end

Hundreds of Israeli military personnel, intelligence veterans, and doctors are calling for an end to the war on Gaza and the immediate return of captives, as Israel continues its renewed offensive on the enclave.

Among the signatories are former Mossad chiefs, army officers, and over 200 reservist military doctors, who have signed a series of petitions urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to halt the war, citing growing concerns over its humanitarian and national toll.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, more than 250 former Mossad officials have signed one such letter initiated by former senior Mossad officer Gail Shorsh. The petition has reportedly been endorsed by three former heads of the Israeli intelligence agency, alongside dozens of current and former department heads.

The letter marks the second petition by members of Israel’s security establishment within 24 hours.

In another petition, over 200 Israeli military doctors in various reserve units expressed alarm over the prolonged fighting.

"As medical officers, we serve in the reserves out of a commitment to the sanctity of life," the doctors wrote. "We warn that continuing the fighting and abandoning the captives is contrary to these values."

They added that the war appears increasingly driven by political and personal interests rather than security needs.

Over 1,600 veterans of the Paratroopers and Infantry Brigades, along with more than 170 graduates from elite military programmes, have also signed letters demanding an end to the war.

According to Israel's Army Radio, the signatories believe the ongoing military campaign "does not contribute to any of its stated goals".

Over 1,500 Israeli current and former Israeli armoured corps soldiers signed a letter on Monday, also asserting that continuing the war no longer serves the initial objectives since the start of the war. Signatories include two former Israeli army. chiefs of staff, Ehud Barak and Dan Halutz.

Since Thursday, at least ten petitions have circulated, according to Anadolu Agency, demanding the government prioritise the return of hostages, even if it means ending the war.

The first petition was signed by 1,000 Israeli Air Force reservists and was later endorsed by nearly 1,000 academics.

In response, Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar dismissed active-duty reservists who had signed the petition.

Netanyahu has warned that soldiers on active duty who participate in such petitions could face dismissal.

More than 150 former Israeli naval officers have also joined the growing call, signing a joint letter echoing the demand for the return of captives and an end to hostilities.

Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023 - killing more than 60,000 Palestinians - public pressure inside Israel has intensified.

Demonstrations and protests against Netanyahu and his handling of the war have grown, particularly since a short-lived ceasefire in November failed to secure the release of all hostages.