IDF: Hostages likely being held underground in Gaza, military will not target civilians

15 October 2023, 9:04 am

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Supporters and family members of Israeli hostages look at images of the hostages plastered on a wall during a rally outside of the Kirya military base in central Tel Aviv on October 14, 2023. (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP)

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces says the top priority in the military operation is to rescue the hostages, who are “most likely” being held underground.

Noting the “elaborate network of tunnels” in the Gaza Strip, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus tells CNN the 150-200 people kidnapped by Hamas terrorists are “most likely held underground in various locations.”

“It is extremely difficult for any modern military to fight in such a dense urban area,” he says.

Conricus additionally says the IDF will not target civilians.

“But again, we must remember… we are going to fight a ruthless enemy that has no problems using everything available… civilians as human shields and using civilian infrastructure for military purposes,” he adds.