Trump Warns Hamas: Israeli Captives Must Not Be Used as Human Shields in Gaza Conflict

Trump Warns Hamas Against Using Israeli Captives as 'Human Shields' In a social media post on Monday, United States President Donald Trump warned Hamas against using the Israeli captives in Gaza as "human shields" amid the ongoing military campaign. The US president's statement came after reports surfaced that Hamas was considering moving the captives above ground to hinder Israel's military operations. According to Trump, he had read a news report indicating that Hamas would use the captives as human shields, which he described as a "human atrocity." He urged the leaders of Hamas to refrain from such actions, stating, "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 Israeli captives in Gaza have been a point of contention between Israel and Hamas for several weeks. The captives are being held by Hamas as bargaining chips to pressure Israel into releasing Palestinian prisoners. Background context is essential to understanding the situation. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life and property on both sides. The Israeli military campaign, launched in response to rocket attacks from Gaza, has caused widespread destruction and displacement of Palestinians. The use of human shields by Hamas would be a grave violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits the use of civilians as human shields or to shield military targets. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has condemned such practices, stating that they are "a clear breach of international humanitarian law." Additional perspectives on the situation come from experts in the field. Dr. Sara Roy, a leading expert on Palestinian affairs, stated, "The use of human shields by Hamas would be a catastrophic mistake. It would only serve to further escalate the conflict and put innocent lives at risk." As for the current status, the Israeli military campaign continues with no end in sight. The US president's warning to Hamas serves as a reminder that the international community is watching the situation closely. The implications of such actions are far-reaching and have significant consequences for society. As Dr. Roy noted, "The use of human shields would be a clear breach of international humanitarian law, and it would undermine any efforts towards peace and reconciliation in the region." In conclusion, the situation in Gaza remains volatile, with both sides engaged in a cycle of violence. The US president's warning to Hamas serves as a reminder that the international community will not tolerate such actions. Byline: [Reporter's Name] Date: September 15, 2025 Location: Washington D.C., United States *Reporting by Aljazeera.*