Trump warns Hamas of ‘big trouble’ if they use Israeli hostages as human shields

“I hope the Leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing. This is a human atrocity, the likes of which few people have ever seen before. Don’t let this happen or, ALL ‘BETS’ ARE OFF. RELEASE ALL HOSTAGES NOW!,” the US  President had earlier posted on Truth Social.

Demonstrators hold photos depicting the faces of Israeli hostages who are being held in the Gaza Strip, during a protest demanding their release from Hamas captivity and against the Israeli offensive in Gaza City. (Photo: AP)

Families of hostages protest outside Netanyahu’s residence

Out of the 251 hostages Hamas took on October 7, 2023, 48 are still being held by the militants in Gaza City. While only around 20 of them are believed to be alive, in the past few days, there were reports that Hamas had brought the hostages above ground, a move many saw as holding them as human shields to deter Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza City.

On Monday, ahead of the launch of the ground offensive, families of the Israeli hostages had sought a meeting with IDF Chief Eyal Zamir while expressing concern over the safety of their loved ones. The family argued that the hostages had become “living human shields against the IDF’s entry into Gaza.”

On Monday night, the families also gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, imploring him to stop the offensive.

“Netanyahu gave the order to bomb my child,” said Anat Angrast, whose son is held in Gaza. “He knows that Matan is in immediate danger due to the Gaza operation, yet he decided to bomb him to death. He is the only one who will decide whether Matan lives or dies.”

Hamas has said it will only free remaining captives in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel launches ground offensive in Gaza City

Meanwhile, Israel launched its ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, after weeks of intense air campaign, which flattened most of the high-rise buildings there.

An Israeli army flare drifts over buildings destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel. (Photo: AP)

The military wouldn’t offer a timeline for the offensive, which it says aims to “destroy Hamas’ military infrastructure,” but Israeli media suggested it could take months.

Israeli forces have carried out multiple large-scale raids into Gaza City over the course of the war, causing mass displacement and heavy destruction, only to see militants regroup later. This time, Israel has vowed to take control of the entire city, which experts say is experiencing famine.

‘Main phase of Gaza City operation’

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines, said that the “main phase” of the Gaza City operation had begun. The official said the Israeli military believes there are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants left in Gaza City, as well as tunnels used by the militant group.

Hamas’ military capabilities have been vastly diminished over nearly two years of war, and nowadays it mainly carries out guerrilla-style attacks, with small groups of fighters planting explosives or attacking military outposts before melting away.

Palestinians flee Gaza City

An estimated 1 million Palestinians were living in the Gaza City region before warnings to evacuate began ahead of the offensive, and the Israeli military estimates 350,000 people have left the city. A UN estimate on Monday, however, said that over 2,20,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza over the past month.

By the end of the current operation, an Israeli military graphic suggested its troops hope to control all of the Gaza Strip except for a large swath along the coast.