A small group of reservists from Israel’s elite military intelligence unit joined a call for an immediate return of the hostages in Gaza even if it requires an immediate end to the war, in a sign of a growing protest movement after more than 18 months of war.

In a statement to The Associated Press, an army official said there was no room for any body or individual, including reservists in active duty, "to exploit their military status while simultaneously participating in the fighting,

In an open letter, more than 1,000 reservist pilots in the Israeli army called for an end to the war in Gaza and urged that the release of the hostages be made a top priority. A senior army official responded by suggesting that all signatories of the letter should be dismissed.