Former Israeli Security Leaders Call on Trump to Help End Gaza War
Jerusalem, August 4, 2025 — In a rare and dramatic move, more than 550 former Israeli security officials—including past leaders of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and the Israeli military—have penned a public letter urging U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.
The unprecedented appeal, released to the media on Monday, reflects growing dissent within Israel’s military and intelligence establishment over the prolonged conflict in Gaza, now nearing its 23rd month.
“We believe Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,” the letter reads. “What began as a defensive war has now lost its justification. Continuing the military campaign risks Israel’s long-term security, moral standing, and democratic character.”
High-Profile Signatories Include Mossad and Shin Bet Heads
Among the signatories are three former heads of the Mossad—Tamir Pardo, Efraim Halevy, and Danny Yatom—and five past directors of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, including Ami Ayalon, Nadav Argaman, Yoram Cohen, Yaakov Peri, and Carmi Gilon.
Also supporting the appeal are three former military chiefs of staff, including former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon, and General Dan Halutz.
In a video statement accompanying the letter, Ayalon warned, “This war, if it continues, will strip Israel of both its security and its identity. We’ve already achieved our military objectives—continuing only deepens the crisis.”
War’s Original Goals Have Been Met, Say Officials
The letter asserts that the Israeli military has already dismantled Hamas’s ability to govern and its core fighting forces. “The goals that could be achieved by force have been achieved,” the officials write. “What remains—bringing home the hostages—requires negotiation and international coordination, not continued military operations.”
The signatories argue that remaining Hamas operatives can be pursued through intelligence-led missions later, but now is the time for diplomacy.
“Prolonging the war risks undermining Israel’s international legitimacy and further worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the letter states.
A Direct Appeal to Trump’s Influence
What sets the letter apart is its direct appeal to Donald Trump, who is once again running for the U.S. presidency and remains an influential figure in Israeli politics.
“President Trump enjoys significant credibility with the Israeli public,” the letter claims. “We urge him to use that influence to guide Prime Minister Netanyahu toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal.”
The former officials suggest that Trump could also play a vital role in post-war stabilization. They propose that, following a ceasefire, he push for a regional coalition to support a reformed Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza—providing an alternative to Hamas and helping prevent a future resurgence.
Netanyahu’s Coalition Resists Pressure
Despite growing international and domestic pressure for a ceasefire, key members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition have signaled their desire to continue military operations and even support partial or full Israeli re-occupation of Gaza.
This internal division reflects the widening gap between Israel’s current political leadership and the views of many of its past security experts.
While international organizations and the United Nations have called for an immediate ceasefire to enable the release of Israeli hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid, progress remains stalled.
Mounting Global and Domestic Pressure
The letter adds to mounting calls within Israel for a reassessment of the war strategy. Civil society groups, families of hostages, and prominent public figures have increasingly demanded that the government shift its focus from military gains to diplomatic solutions.
Whether Trump will respond to the letter remains unclear. But the move underlines the urgency felt by many within Israel’s defense community to end a war they now view as counterproductive.
“It’s time for bold leadership and a new direction,” the signatories write. “For the sake of Israel’s future, the fighting must end.”
