Ami Ayalon, the former head of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, has expressed his deep concerns regarding the ongoing military campaign in Gaza. In a joint effort with 550 former Israeli security officials, Ayalon has signed an open letter urging for an end to Israel’s military activities in the besieged Palestinian territory.
The letter, addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizes that Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel. The signatories argue that Israel has the capability to address any remaining security concerns without the need for further military actions.
Ayalon, along with other prominent figures such as Tamir Pardo, Matan Vilnai, Jeremy Issacharoff, and Assaf Hefetz, advocates for pursuing a two-state solution with Palestinians as the key to long-term security in the region. They believe that defeating Hamas ideologically and presenting a political horizon for a separate Palestinian state alongside Israel is essential.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to halt the hostilities in Gaza. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu reportedly seeks a full takeover of the Gaza Strip, a move that has sparked opposition even within his own military command.
The letter’s focus on Trump is aimed at garnering international intervention in the crisis, highlighting the urgency of addressing the situation in Gaza from a global perspective. Ayalon stresses the need for the international community to engage in resolving the conflict and prevent further escalation of violence.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, humanitarian organizations have raised concerns about the dire conditions faced by the civilian population. Reports of food shortages, malnutrition, and rising hunger-related deaths have underscored the urgent need for immediate humanitarian assistance in the region.