via BBC
A group of some 600 retired Israeli security officials, including former heads of intelligence agencies, have written to US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel to immediately end the war in Gaza.
"It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel," the officials said.
"Your credibility with the vast majority of Israelis augments your ability to steer Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and his government in the right direction: End the war, return the hostages, stop the suffering," they wrote.
Their appeal comes amid reports that Netanyahu is pushing to expand military operations in Gaza as indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas have stalled.
Large scale military operations by the IDF is no longer necessary. The organized, hybrid military force of HAMAS no longer exists. Israel is back to fighting a classic guerilla war.
Gaza is at best a special ops playground. At worst its just a killing field without purpose.
But my concern is the state of Israel and its survival.
Fact. The IDF is tired, worn down and needs to be reconstituted. It is a force designed for short, sharp conflicts, instead its being used in a prolonged manner against a force that no longer exists. They won the battles but continue military operations for the sake of military operations.
Fact. The Israeli economy is in SHIT SHAPE. The massive call up of reservists is not only affecting the morale of the IDF but adversely affecting the economy. Just like its military, the the Israeli economy is not built for prolonged warfare. Even in a war for survival it would be a short sharp affair. This war ain't it.
Fact. Where once there was sympathy for the plight of the Israeli hostages and understanding of the need for retaliation against Hamas for the atrocities committed on Oct 7th that time has passed. PROBABLY DUE TO THE MASSIVE INFLUX OF MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS and possibly due to their liberal leaning nations in Europe have turned against Israel and are ready to recognize a Palestinian state. That must be prevented or the eventual destruction of Israel is all but guaranteed.
TLDR? Israel needs to knock it off for its sake and not the sake of HAMAS.
