One-third of Israeli civilian pilots join call for hostage deal even at cost of ending war, report says

Around one-third of civilian Israeli pilots sign a letter, joining a wave of calls for the return of hostages held in Gaza, even at the expense of ending the war against Hamas, Channel 12 reports.

Around 300 pilots from Arkia, Israir, Challenge Airlines, Air Haifa, and other firms declare their support for the “immediate and important” goal, adding that “each passing day endangers their lives.”

The letter comes a week after IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar announced their intention to dismiss active reservists among hundreds who signed a similar petition from the Israeli Air Force. In recent days, similar calls to end the war for the sake of the hostages have emerged from other parts of the military, artists, and various civilian sectors.