Over 250 ex-Mossad members, including 3 former chiefs, urge return of hostages even at cost of ending war

A group of over 250 former Mossad members sign onto a statement backing a letter signed by Israeli Air Force veterans that calls for the government to prioritize the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, even at the cost of ending the ongoing war against the terror group.

The signatories to the letter, which was organized by former top hostage negotiator David Meidan, include ex-Mossad chiefs Danny Yatom, Efraim Halevy and Tamir Pardo.

“We believe the continuation of the fighting endangers the lives of the hostages and our soldiers, and that all possibilities to reach a deal that will bring an to the suffering must be exhausted,” the letter states. “We call on the government to make brave decisions and act responsibly for the security of the country and its citizens.”

A group of some 200 reservist doctors signs onto a similar letter, which like the statements from the ex-Mossad operatives and air force veterans does not include a call to halt reserve service in protests.

The new letters join several other statements that followed the pilots’ letter, which prompted the military to dismiss those still actively serving for using the “Israeli Air Force brand” in a political protest.