which supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported that "the air force identified on Thursday approximately 90 active reserve soldiers who signed a political protest letter calling for an end to the fighting in Gaza."
She added that "Barr threatened that any soldier who did not withdraw his signature on the letter would be permanently dismissed" from military service, considering that "signing the letter represents a breach (by the soldiers) of the personal trust in him and in the Air Force."
The channel continued, "At this stage, Barr intends to allow the soldiers to withdraw their signatures, but so far, only five have withdrawn their signatures." It added, "There will be no widespread sanctions, but some will be permanently dismissed."
Among them are senior leaders.
970 current and former air force reservists published a letter calling for the return of all Israeli detainees from Gaza, even at the expense of ending the war that has been ongoing for more than a year and a half.
Channel 14 reported that the signatories to the letter included former Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (res.) Dan Halutz, former Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. (res.) Nimrod Sheffer, and former head of the Civil Aviation Authority Col. (ret.) Neri Yarkoni.
As well as the former head of the army's human resources department, Major General (Ret.) Gil Regev, Air Force Brigadier General (Ret.) Relik Shafir, Air Force Brigadier General (Ret.) Amir Haskel, and Air Force Brigadier General (Ret.) Asaf Agmon.
The soldiers wrote in their letter: "We, the reserve and retired air crew fighters, demand the return of the abducted (Israeli captives) to their homes without delay, even at the cost of an immediate cessation of hostilities" (i.e., the war).
They added, "At the moment, the war primarily serves (Netanyahu's) political and personal interests, not security interests."
The signatories of the letter continued: "As has been proven in the past, reaching an agreement alone is sufficient to return the hostages safely, while military pressure primarily leads to their deaths and puts the lives of our soldiers at risk."
In early March, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel concluded. The agreement, which went into effect on January 19, 2025, was brokered by Egypt and Qatar and supported by the United States.
While Hamas adhered to the terms of the first phase, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court, shied away from initiating the second phase in deference to extremists in his ruling coalition.