Trump Warns Hamas Against Using Israeli Hostages as Human Shields Amid Military Escalation in Gaza

In a controversial statement, former US Donald Trump has warned the Hamas movement against using Israeli hostages as "human shields" amidst the ongoing military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

On Monday, Trump posted on his "Truth Social" platform, expressing alarm over reports that Hamas had moved hostages to use them as human shields against a potential Israeli ground offensive. He issued a stern warning to Hamas leaders, stating: "I hope the leaders of Hamas realize what they are going to face if they do such a thing. This is a humanitarian atrocity, rarely seen before by anyone." He concluded his post with a decisive demand: "Don't let this happen... Release all the hostages now."

Israeli Military Escalation and "Violent" Bombing of Gaza

Coinciding with this warning, Gaza City experienced intensive Israeli bombardment. Palestinian TV reported 37 airstrikes within just 20 minutes, concentrated particularly in the northwestern areas of the city. The report noted that the artillery shelling was supported by warplanes, with heavy fire from "quadcopter" drones targeting any moving object in the vicinity of those locations.

According to Israeli Channel 12, these attacks are part of the final preparations for an operation named "Gideon's Chariots 2." Israeli security assessments estimate that over 300,000 Gaza residents have left the city, which would allow for the "start of the maneuver" on the ground.

Rising Death Toll and Destruction

The death toll from the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip has risen to 62, with the majority of casualties in Gaza City. The strikes led to the destruction of several residential buildings, including the Al-Ghafari Tower, one of the city's tallest, which housed hundreds of families and media and commercial offices.