Former Israeli Security Officials Urge Trump to Pressure for an End to the Gaza War

Five hundred and fifty former Israeli security officials, including former heads of intelligence agencies, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad, have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to end the war in Gaza, asserting that Hamas "no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel."

In a statement issued by the movement "Leaders for Israel's Security," published on Monday: "Our professional opinion is that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel," urging Trump to "guide the decisions of the Israeli government" and "demand an end to the war in Gaza."

Among the signatories of the statement are three former heads of the Mossad: Tamir Pardo, Ephraim Halevy, and Danny Yatom, as well as four former heads of the Shin Bet: Nadav Argaman, Yoram Cohen, Yaakov Perry, and Carmi Gilon, along with former defense ministers Ehud Barak and Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon, and former chief of staff Dan Halutz.

The statement emphasized that "the Israeli army has long achieved the two possible military objectives: dismantling Hamas's military infrastructure and ending its rule," noting that "the return of hostages can only be achieved through a deal, while the pursuit of remaining Hamas leaders can be postponed."

Ami Ayalon, former head of the Shin Bet and one of the signatories, described the war as "initially a just defensive one, but it is no longer so after achieving military objectives," warning that "its continuation undermines Israel's security and identity."

The war erupted following Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians according to official figures. Israel responded with extensive military operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 60,839 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in the territory, which the United Nations relies on as a trusted source.

Israel is facing increasing international pressure to cease fire, especially as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, while some ministers in Netanyahu's government insist on continuing military operations and even reoccupying parts of the territory.

The signatories believe that "a ceasefire would enable Trump to form a regional coalition to support a reformed Palestinian authority to manage Gaza instead of Hamas," asserting that "Trump has credibility with Israelis and can persuade Netanyahu to end the war and recover the hostages."