The Israeli army will be fired for its tough response to thousands of pilots calling for the release of hostages

About 1,000 combat and retired pilots signed an open letter calling on the Israeli government to facilitate the release of the hostages, and the Israeli military confirmed that those who signed the letter would be fired.

About 1,000 combat and retired pilots signed an open letter published in several Israeli newspapers in a full-page challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, Agence France-Presse reported.

The letter said, "Even at the cost of ending the war in Gaza, the priority should be given to the release of the hostages."

The letter also states that "this war is primarily serving political and personal interests, not national security interests." A resumption of military operations would result in the deaths of hostages, Israeli soldiers and civilians, and exhaustion of the forces.

"It is only through agreement that hostages can be brought home safely, and military pressure leads to the death of hostages and endangers our soldiers."

But Mr. Netanyahu has long maintained that intensifying military pressure on Gaza is the only way to get Hamas to release the hostages.

"With the full support of the Chief of the General Staff, the commander of the Israeli Air Force has decided that any combat ready pilot who signed the open letter will not continue to serve in the military," an Israeli military official said Thursday.

Military officials say most of the signers are not active combat troops. "Our policy is very clear: Israel's military is above all political disputes. No individual or group, including combat readiness personnel, may use their military status to call for a ceasefire while participating in combat operations."

Netanyahu also expressed support for firing the pilots who signed the letter. "It is unforgivable to make remarks that weaken the Israeli army and encourage the enemy in a time of war," he said.

During the ceasefire, which ran from January 19 to March 17, 33 Israeli hostages were freed, while Israel freed some 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.

However, negotiations on a second phase of the ceasefire remain deadlocked.