Trump Warns Hamas Against Using Hostages as Human Shields Amid Israel Offensive
US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a sharp warning to Hamas over reports that the group has moved hostages above ground to use them as human shields during Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in Gaza. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the alleged move as a “human atrocity” and demanded the immediate release of all hostages.
“I have just read a report that Hamas has moved hostages above ground to use them as human shields against Israel’s ground offensive. I hope the leaders of Hamas know what they’re getting into if they do such a thing,” Trump wrote. “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 warning came hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders “wherever they are.” His remarks followed a September 9 strike in Doha, Qatar, targeting senior Hamas figures.
The Doha strike, one of Israel’s boldest escalations outside Gaza since the war began in October 2023, killed five Hamas members, including a son of exiled Gaza chief Ismail Haniyeh. However, Hamas leadership survived the attack.
The conflict, which erupted after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel, has continued to destabilize the wider region, with Arab and Islamic states holding an emergency summit in solidarity with Qatar after the Israeli strike.
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