Retired Air Force Pilots Protest Gaza War in Tel Aviv Rally

UPDATE: Hundreds of retired Israeli Air Force pilots gathered outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, protesting the ongoing war in Gaza and demanding an immediate end to military actions. This significant demonstration, organized by the group known as “555,” marks the first in-person rally against the Israeli government’s new military decision to expand operations in Gaza.

The protest comes as Israel continues to face widespread public dissent regarding the war, particularly the government’s inability to secure the safe return of hostages held by Hamas. Many in the crowd, primarily aged over 60, displayed banners reading, “Don’t kill hostages and soldiers,” emphasizing the urgent call for peace and the protection of all lives.

Former Israeli military chief, Dan Halutz, delivered a powerful speech, challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s assertions that Hamas remains a formidable threat. Halutz urged military leaders to reconsider their strategies, stating, “The war has run its course. Gaza is destroyed — structurally and humanly,” and questioned, “Who among the senior commanders in the IDF believes Hamas is a strategic threat we can’t defend against?”

Halutz directly criticized Netanyahu, asserting that if the government had heeded advice from President Joe Biden to conclude hostilities earlier, the situation would be markedly different today. “The war in Gaza is eroding our morals, our values as human beings and as Jews,” he cautioned, highlighting the humanitarian crisis and the dire moral implications of continued military action.

Another prominent figure at the rally, Hagai Katz, a decorated fighter pilot known for leading the 1981 airstrike on Iraq’s nuclear reactor, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the current military campaign. Katz reflected on past promises made by Netanyahu, stating, “We got promises… that only military pressure will eventually be effective,” warning that history is repeating itself with “more dead hostages and probably soldiers and Palestinians.”

As the protest unfolded, the Israeli public remains deeply divided over the war. Recent polls indicate that a substantial majority of Israelis support ending the Gaza conflict in exchange for the hostages’ release. However, the Israeli cabinet’s decision to initiate a campaign to capture Gaza City has raised concerns, with military officials warning that such actions could jeopardize the lives of the approximately 20 hostages still held there.

The protests coincide with a growing movement among former heads of Israel’s security services who are also calling for an end to the war. In response to the escalating tensions, universities in Israel are planning to strike this coming Sunday, underscoring the deepening public discontent and the urgent need for change.

As the situation develops, the debate over the legitimacy and effectiveness of the military operation is expected to intensify both in Israel and on the global stage. The consequences of this ongoing conflict and the mounting pressure on the Israeli government to respond to public sentiment are becoming increasingly pivotal.

Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds, as the voices calling for peace continue to grow louder amidst the turmoil.