Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Supports Dismissal of 1,000 Air Force Reserve Members Who Called for Gaza War Ceasefire – April 10, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Supports Dismissal of 1,000 Air Force Reserve Members Who Called for Gaza War Ceasefire – April 10, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described nearly 1,000 current and former air force reserve members, who called for an end to the Gaza war, as "extremists and radicals" and has supported their dismissal.

In a statement on Thursday, Netanyahu's office said that the Prime Minister "supports the decision of the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief of Staff to dismiss these members."

The Controversial Letter and Dismissal Process

Recently, these pilots took a stand in an open letter calling for the end of the Gaza war and the release of prisoners. The letter stated, "Only a ceasefire agreement can safely bring the prisoners back, as military pressure only increases their risk of death. This war is currently being used as a tool to protect political and personal interests, not for security."

According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, many of the signatories are active reserve-duty personnel, including senior officers and pilots.

After the letter was leaked, Israeli Air Force Commander Tomar Bar called the signatories, asking them to withdraw their signatures and warned that those who do not would be dismissed.

Haaretz reports that so far, only 25 have withdrawn their signatures, while 8 others have newly signed the letter. Later, Israel’s Chief of Staff Ayal Zamir and Air Force Chief Bar decided to dismiss the members, although the exact date when this decision will take effect is still unclear.

Netanyahu’s Statement and Backlash

Netanyahu said, "Statements that weaken our military and embolden our enemies are unforgivable. These people are trying to undermine society, which Hamas interpreted as a sign of weakness even before October 7th."

However, critics argue that Netanyahu is deliberately prolonging the war to maintain his government and stay in power as Prime Minister.

Horrific War Statistics

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the ongoing Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 50,846 Palestinian deaths and 115,729 injuries. Gaza’s official media office states that the actual death toll may exceed 61,700, as the fate of thousands of people trapped under the rubble remains unknown.