Elite Retired Israeli Air Force Officers Stage Rare Protest Against Gaza War Escalation
Elite Retired Israeli Air Force Officers Stage Rare Protest Against Gaza War Escalation
Hundreds of retired Israeli Air Force pilots staged a rare demonstration this week outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, vehemently protesting the government’s decision to expand operations into Gaza City and demanding an end to the nearly two-year conflict.
The protest, organized by a group calling itself “555,” marks the first time such a large contingent of elite former military personnel has publicly opposed the Israeli cabinet’s war strategy. Their message, conveyed under a banner reading “Don’t kill hostages and soldiers,” emphasized the urgent need to bring home Israeli hostages and voiced deep concerns over the ongoing military campaign’s human and moral cost.
Among the prominent figures addressing the crowd was Dan Halutz, a former chief of staff of the Israeli military and ex-Air Force commander. Halutz directly challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claims, asserting that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat and that the war has effectively run its course, leaving Gaza devastated. He criticized the government for ignoring advice to end the conflict sooner and accused it of lacking public legitimacy to continue the war.
Hagai Katz, a decorated fighter pilot known for his participation in the 1981 strike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor, also spoke out, rejecting Netanyahu’s repeated promises of eliminating Hamas through military pressure. Katz expressed skepticism about the new Gaza City operation, fearing it would only lead to more casualties among hostages, soldiers, and Palestinian civilians. He also acknowledged the severe moral dilemma faced by current pilots striking Gaza, questioning whether he would participate if still serving.
This high-profile protest by former military leaders amplifies growing domestic pressure, including a recent petition from former heads of Israel’s security services, for an end to the Gaza war in exchange for hostage release. Despite polls indicating strong public support for such a resolution, the government’s decision to proceed with the Gaza City campaign has drawn warnings from current military officials regarding potential risks to the estimated 20 surviving hostages. The debate surrounding the operation’s legitimacy is expected to intensify, with universities planning strikes in protest.
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