America News Agency

In an open letter, the former officials said ending the war is the only way to rescue the hostages held by Hamas: “Your credibility with the overwhelming majority of Israelis enhances your ability to guide Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government in the right direction: end the war, return the hostages, end the suffering,” they wrote.

They also added that they no longer see Hamas as a strategic threat to Israel.

The letter comes amid growing pressure on the Israeli government to end the war, while Netanyahu weighs intensifying the assault. After the release of two videos showing weakened hostages held in Gaza, thousands of protesters took to the streets across Israel over the weekend.

One particularly shocking video shows the skeletal Evyatar David digging what he claims might be his own grave, sparking a wave of outrage across the country.

On Sunday night, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters issued a statement accusing Netanyahu of “leading Israel and the abducted into catastrophe.”

On Monday, Netanyahu said he would convene the security cabinet this week to discuss how to instruct the army to achieve the war goals in Gaza. Israeli media reported that the prime minister is inclined to expand the assault and seize all Palestinian territories.

According to reports, Netanyahu aims to “apply pressure for the release of hostages through a decisive military victory.”