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This comes amid reports that the group has moved hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive
The war in Gaza was triggered by a rampage into southern Israel by Hamas militants who killed around 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that Hamas militants would be in “big trouble” if the hostages are used as human shields.
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“We’re going to see what happens because I hear Hamas is trying to use the old human shield deal, and if they do that, they’re going to be in big trouble. They put it out two days ago that they’re going to use the hostages as human shields,” Trump told reporters when asked about Israel’s offensive.
This comes amid reports that the group has moved hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive.
Israel launched its latest ground assault on Gaza City before dawn on Tuesday, just a day after a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed support for its goal of eliminating Hamas.
A UN Commission of Inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and named Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials as responsible for incitement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he did not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders “wherever they are”, as the heads of Arab and Islamic states held a summit to back Qatar after Israel’s attack last week in the Gulf state.
The September 9 strike targeting leaders of Hamas in Doha was a significant escalation of Israeli military action in a region shaken by conflict since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks that ignited the Gaza war.
The war in Gaza was triggered by a rampage into southern Israel by Hamas militants who killed around 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel responded with an assault that has killed more than 64,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.
United States of America (USA)
September 16, 2025, 19:47 IST
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