Hundreds of former Israeli security officials urge Trump to help end Gaza war
Citing a diminished Hamas threat, ex-military and intelligence leaders are calling on Trump to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war and focus on freeing hostages.
Israeli Defense Force IDF / Wikimedia Commons: https://www.flickr.com/people/45644610@N03
702's Bongani Bingwa chats with international correspondent Vicky Turner.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:
"End the war, return the hostages, stop the suffering."
Those were the words shared in an open letter signed by hundreds of retired Israeli security officials, who are urging United States President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza.
The BBC reports that the group argue that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat, saying Israel has already achieved its military objectives.
The letter comes amid reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering expanding military operations, despite stalled ceasefire talks and growing international concern.
Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, claims over 60,000 people have been killed since the war began in October 2023, with the territory now facing widespread famine and daily civilian casualties.
"I think it's a good reminder that this seems to be Benjamin Netanyahu’s war. It's not really the people of Israel's war. This just says it's not only the civilians of Israel, but it is their former sort of people in charge that are now saying this war has to end."
- Vicky Turner, international correspondent
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