JERUSALEM, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of retired senior Israeli diplomats urged in an open letter on Monday the government to end the war in the Gaza Strip and prioritize reaching a deal for the release of the hostages still held there.

The appeal is the latest in a growing chorus of public opposition to the war effort, following similar statements by military aircrew, former intelligence and security officials, military doctors, academics, and writers.

Signed by 97 former senior diplomats, including dozens of ambassadors and four former director-generals of the Foreign Ministry, the letter calls for "immediate action for the release of the hostages," even if it requires halting the fighting against Hamas.

"This step is essential to save the lives of the hostages, whose time is running out, and to preserve solidarity within Israeli society, which is vital for its vision and its future," they wrote.

Their call came days after hundreds of military aircrew members, in reserve or retired, signed a similar letter, calling for prioritizing the hostages' release over continuing the war. Their letter, published Thursday, said the war "mainly serves personal and political interests, rather than genuine security needs."

In response, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief Eyal Zamir decided to terminate the service of active reservists signing the letter, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the signatories "an extremist fringe group" seeking to "break Israeli society from within."

Additional public calls have also emerged in recent days from schoolteachers, parents of soldiers, writers, and former officials from the Mossad intelligence agency and the IDF.

Israel launched the offensive on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas-led fighters raided southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. In response, Israel began a massive air and ground campaign that has devastated much of Gaza and imposed a siege that largely limited entry of food and supplies. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, the Israeli attacks have killed 50,983 people and injured 116,274 others.

Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase, ceasefire-for-hostages deal in January. However, negotiations on the second phase face an impasse after the first six-week phase expired on March 1. Israel then resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18. Currently, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with 24 of them still believed to be alive. Enditem

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