Their call adds to a broader protest first initiated by nearly 1,000 Israeli Air Force veterans and reservists. “The war mainly serves political and personal interests and not security interests,” stated the signatories of the joint letter accusing the government of risking people’s lives for political motives.
In response, Netanyahu labelled the group as “an extreme fringe” and dismissed all active-duty reservists who had signed the letter, as per The Guardian.Read more: Netanyahu presses Trump on Israel tariff rollback as Gaza conflict rages
IDF veterans call for ceasefire, families protest
Further support for the appeal came on Monday, April 14, from more than 1,500 current and former Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) members, including two former chiefs of staff.
They demanded an immediate ceasefire, with Colonel Rami Matan (Retd) stating, “Why do we continue to sacrifice human lives for unattainable objectives?” as per The Guardian.
These calls coincide with ongoing negotiations in Cairo involving the US, Egypt, and Qatar, aiming to reach a new ceasefire. Reports suggest that Israel has proposed a deal for the release of the 10 hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire, a halt to IDF’s ground operations and the lifting of aid restrictions.
The slow pace of negotiations has sparked protests in the country. On Sunday, hundreds of people, including the relatives of hostages, held demonstrations outside the home of Ron Dermer, Netanyahu’s adviser overseeing the talks.
Read more: Israel’s military operation in Gaza Strip expanding to seize ‘large areas’, says defence minister Katz
Some families accused Dermer of stalling discussions to suit political ends. “Come out, update us on the situation. That’s your responsibility. If you cannot do the job, resign,” Doron Zekster, whose son Edan is among the hostages, was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
Israeli strike hits Gaza hospital
Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike struck the entrance of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Gaza on Tuesday, April 15, killing a doctor and injuring nine others, including two patients critically, hospital spokesperson Saber Mohammed said.
The incident occurred in the Muwasi area, which shelters hundreds of thousands of displaced people, reported The Associated Press.
The Israeli military has previously justified hospital strikes by alleging Hamas activity within medical facilities, though hospital staff have consistently denied such claims.
Read more: Israeli strike kills 27 people sheltering in a school, Gaza’s Health Ministry says
On Sunday, the Al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza was also struck, damaging critical infrastructure. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which manages the facility, condemned the attack. Israel claimed it targeted a Hamas command centre but provided no evidence for that.
Over 51,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, reported by AP.
While the Hamas-run government oversees the ministry, its figures are considered credible by UN agencies despite Israeli challenges to the data.
(With agency inputs)
