August 4, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
In a rare and powerful move, more than 600 former senior Israeli security officials have jointly called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene and pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The appeal was made through an open letter by the group Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), a non-partisan body comprising ex-chiefs of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Mossad, Shin Bet, and other top-level security agencies. They argue that continued military operations in Gaza have exhausted their strategic value and now risk worsening the humanitarian crisis without achieving meaningful gains.
“It is our professional judgment that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel,” the letter states. “The only viable path to secure the release of the hostages and restore national security is through a negotiated ceasefire.”
The letter emphasizes that a continued military campaign could jeopardize the lives of the remaining Israeli hostages and weaken international support for Israel’s actions. It proposes that a temporary ceasefire, facilitated by U.S. diplomacy, would allow for humanitarian relief and the establishment of a post-war stabilization mechanism involving Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and a reformed Palestinian Authority.
This appeal adds to growing domestic pressure on Netanyahu’s government. In recent months, thousands of Israeli reservists and former intelligence operatives have voiced similar concerns, urging a shift from military solutions to diplomatic engagement.
While Donald Trump has claimed past involvement in influencing Israel-Hamas negotiations, it remains uncertain whether he will respond to the latest plea. However, observers note that the former president’s close relationship with Netanyahu gives him a unique position to influence the Israeli government’s decisions.
As the war enters a new phase, and political divisions deepen within Israel’s leadership, the letter from CIS underscores a critical message: that enduring peace and the safe return of captives may now hinge on political courage and international diplomacy rather than further military escalation.
