Tel Aviv: Hundreds of active and reservist Israeli army officers have prepared an open letter, urging the Israeli government and military leadership to halt the ongoing genocide in Gaza, labeling it a political war that 'doesn't serve Israel's national security and is therefore immoral,' according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

According to Anadolu Agency, the letter has garnered approximately 1,200 signatures from reservists and active-duty officers across various military units, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities and the safe return of all hostages. The letter explicitly calls on the government and the chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, to stop the conflict and prioritize the return of hostages.

The letter warns that continuing the war goes against the will of an overwhelming majority of the public, could result in the deaths of hostages, IDF soldiers, and innocent civilians, and might even lead to the commission of war crimes. The officers argue that the ongoing conflict is essentially a preparation for the occupation of Gaza.

Furthermore, the signatories express concerns about the long-term psychological impact on soldiers, emphasizing their confidence that the chief of staff will reject any orders that could lead to actions haunting soldiers for the rest of their lives.

The Israeli army has not yet commented on the letter. The authors of this letter are the same group that issued a similar open letter last month, which also called for the immediate return of hostages, even if it meant halting the war.

The previous petitions have included signatures from various members of the military, including reservists eligible for call-up, retirees, prominent former commanders, civilians, and former police officers. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has continued its offensive against Gaza since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 54,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war crimes against defenseless civilians in the enclave.