Around one-third of all Israeli civilian pilots have signed a letter calling on the government to prioritize the release of hostages over the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported on Thursday.
In the letter, approximately 300 pilots reportedly demanded an agreement to secure the release of those still held captive in the Gaza Strip, even if it means ending the fighting against the Palestinian militant organization.
The letter mentioned that every passing day endangers the lives of the hostages, the report said.
Among the signatories are reportedly pilots from Arkia Israeli Airlines, Israel’s second-largest airline, as well as from the airline Israir. However, pilots from El Al, the country’s largest airline, were not mentioned.
According to the newspaper Haaretz, hundreds of former soldiers simultaneously signed a similar letter.
The background is that Hamas is demanding an end to the Gaza war in exchange for the release of the hostages. One of Israel’s war objectives, besides the return of the captives, is the dismantling of Hamas.
Similar calls, criticizing Israel’s actions in the coastal area, have recently also come from within the army and from artists.