Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a stark warning on Tuesday to Hamas not to harm the hostages it continues to hold in the Gaza Strip following its unprecedented attack against Israel in October 2023.
Netanyahu to Hamas: We will hunt them down for life, and that end will come much sooner
“If they harm even one hair on the head of a single hostage, we will hunt them down with greater force until the end of their lives – and that end will come much sooner than they think,” Netanyahu declared during a press conference. According to media reports, Hamas has moved some of the hostages, who were previously held in tunnels, to tents and houses in order to prevent the Israeli military from launching operations against certain areas.
Trump: Warned Hamas it will “pay dearly” if it uses hostages as human shields
The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that the hostages are being held in dangerous areas and stressed that this fact shocked American President Donald Trump as well. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump warned Hamas that it will “pay dearly” if it uses the hostages it holds as human shields. The families of the hostages are particularly concerned following the Israeli military’s announcement that it is launching a broad operation in Gaza City. They fear for their relatives’ lives and the possibility they could be used as human shields.
Meanwhile, the hostages’ relatives announced they plan to remain permanently outside Netanyahu’s house in Jerusalem and sleep there in tents. They emphasized they will hold daily protests, as they accuse the Israeli Prime Minister of choosing to “sacrifice the hostages for political purposes.” As Israeli media reported, thousands of demonstrators had gathered Tuesday evening outside Netanyahu’s house, while hundreds of people also protested outside his office. Hamas continues to hold 48 hostages in Gaza, according to Israeli estimates, of whom 20 are believed to still be alive.
