Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Gaza war 'could have ended long ago', ex-IOF admit, urging ceasefire

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • Today 17:43
4 Min Read

Nineteen former Israeli security officials, including Ehud Barak and ex-Mossad and Shin Bet heads, urge a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, saying the war is politically driven and warn of deep national and strategic losses.

Listen
  • x
  • A Palestinian carries the body of a man killed while trying to receive aid near a distribution center operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Netzarim, in the Gaza Strip, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP)
    A Palestinian carries the body of a man killed while trying to receive aid near a distribution center operated by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Netzarim, in the Gaza Strip, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP)

More than a dozen former senior Israeli security officials have released a joint video urging an immediate end to the Gaza war, arguing that the prolonged fighting has yielded more losses than victories and continues primarily due to political, not strategic, motives.

The statement comes from 19 retired officials, including former IOF Chiefs of Staff, intelligence and security agency heads, and police commissioners. Notable among them are former IOF Chief of Staff and Prime Minister Ehud Barak, former Chiefs of Staff Moshe Ya’alon and Dan Halutz, and former Shin Bet director Yoram Cohen.

“Each of these people sat in cabinet meetings, operated in the inner circles, attended all the most sensitive decision-making processes, the most delicate,” a voiceover introduces in the video. “Together, they have more than a thousand years’ experience in national security and diplomacy.”

In the video, the retired officials assert that the Gaza war could have ended long ago. They call on "Israel" to declare a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and pursue a comprehensive captive deal, securing the release of the remaining 50 captives in one coordinated exchange.

'Israel' is 'on the precipice of defeat'

According to former Shin Bet director Ami Ayalon, “We have a duty to stand up and say what we need to say. This war started as a just war. It was a defensive war. But once we achieved all its military objectives... this war stopped being a just war. It is leading the State of Israel to the loss of its security and identity.”

Related News

Palestinians are being massacred by US-German weapons: Iran's Baghaei

Dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza as IOF resume onslaught

Former military intelligence chief Amos Malka argues that "Israel" is “well over a year past the point where we could have ended the war with a sufficient operational achievement.” Instead of progressing toward strategic goals, “we are now mostly offsetting losses,” says ex-Shin Bet director Nadav Argaman.

Former Mossad director Tamir Pardo adds that “We are on the precipice of defeat,” pointing to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as a direct consequence of prolonged aggression. “What the world sees today is of our own creation... This lie was sold to the Israeli public, and the world has long since understood that it doesn’t reflect the real picture,” he said.

Pardo also co-signed a letter to US President Donald Trump, urging immediate action and pressure to end the war on Gaza.

Meanwhile, Moshe Ya'alon declared, “There are moments that represent a black flag in which one must stand firm and say: This far and no further. Right now, we have a government that the messianic zealots have pulled in a certain, irrational direction.”

Yoram Cohen echoed that concern, warning that “They are a minority, but the problem is that the minority controls the policy," stressing that it is unrealistic to believe that "Israel" can eliminate every resistance fighter, locate every tunnel, and retrieve all captives simultaneously.

Calls for captive deal, accountability 

The officials called on those currently holding top positions in the security establishment to take a public stance against the continuation of the war in Gaza.

“They must bravely stand up before the prime minister and before the cabinet and say their piece… about this war and its futility,” urges Argaman, noting, “It is their duty to say what they can do and what cannot be done, even if someone really wants it.”

Read more: Zamir demands Gaza war strategy as rift with Israeli cabinet grows

  • genocide in Gaza
  • Gaza Strip
  • war on Gaza
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israel
  • Mossad
  • Israeli occupation forces
  • Israeli occupation
  • Ceasefire in Gaza
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS