130 Israeli soldiers to 'stop reporting for duty' if Gaza deal not pursued

A letter signed by 130 Israeli soldiers warned they will stop serving in the military if the government does not seek a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas that allows the exchange of captives with Palestinian prisoners, Haaretz reported on Wednesday.

Reservists and draftees from various departments, including the air force, the navy, the armoured corps and the artillery corps, addressed the letter to cabinet ministers and the military's chief of staff.

They said continuing the war in Gaza endangers the lives of captives still held there, as many of them have already been killed in Israeli air strikes or during operations to rescue them.

"We, who serve and have served with dedication and while risking our lives, hereby announce that if the government does not immediately change course and work toward a deal to bring the hostages back home, we will not be able to continue serving," the letter said. 

"For some of us, the red line has been crossed already; for others, it is rapidly approaching: the day is approaching when we will, with broken hearts, stop reporting for duty."