Hundreds of Israeli soldiers from various units, including elite and special forces, have signed a new petition urging the government to secure a prisoner exchange deal and bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli broadcaster KAN reported on Friday. The petition, signed by members from intelligence unit 8200, Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet, Shaldag, and other military divisions, calls for a resolution to the humanitarian and military crisis that has gripped both sides since October 2023. KAN noted that between 20% and 30% of the signees are active reservists, adding to the weight of the growing dissent within the military ranks. This is the sixth such petition reported since Thursday. Previous petitions were signed by around 1,000 Air Force personnel, 1,000 academics, hundreds from the armored corps and navy, dozens of reserve military doctors, and hundreds from Unit 8200. The latest includes hundreds from a wide range of operational units. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to dismiss any active-duty soldier found to have signed these petitions. The Israeli military resumed its assault on Gaza on March 18, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had taken effect on January 19. Since the war began in October 2023 following a Hamas-led attack, nearly 51,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities. The conflict has devastated the enclave and rendered vast areas uninhabitable. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its conduct in Gaza. — Agencies
