Netanyahu’s plans for expanded Gaza offensive spark anger and dismay at home and abroad

Outrage is growing over Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned Gaza Strip offensive, with anger at home matching condemnation abroad for the Israeli prime minister.

TEL AVIV — Outrage is growing over Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned new Gaza Strip offensive, with news of the Israeli leader’s broadening military campaign met with anger at home and condemnation abroad.

An association of Israel air force reserve and retired pilots have issued a statement calling for an “immediate end to the futile war and urgent action to bring the hostages home.”

“The war being waged in Gaza is exacting an unbearable toll from hostages who have languished in captivity for 676 days, is risking our soldiers’ lives in vain, is causing unnecessary harm to innumerable innocent civilians, and is degrading Israel’s standing in the world to an unprecedented low,” it added on Sunday.

The statement — which was the first time the group had explicitly called for an end to the conflict — was issued as Palestinians continued dying from both Israeli fire and hunger.

Demonstrators raise yellow flags and placards during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Jerusalem Thursday.Ahmad Gharabli / AFP via Getty ImagesFamilies of hostages were, meanwhile, growing increasingly desperate.