IDF reportedly warns government that any expansion of Gaza military op risks lives of hostages

The IDF has issued a warning to Israel’s political leadership that any expansion of the military operation in Gaza risks the lives of the hostages, Channel 13 reports.

The network cites a senior military official who asserts that a hostage deal, on the other hand, would allow the IDF to operate more freely in Gaza, including in places where it has not yet operated.

Earlier this week, IDF chief Herzi Halevi visited the tunnel in Rafah where the bodies of six hostages were found over the weekend after they were executed by their Hamas captors who apparently got wind that the IDF was approaching.

The IDF’s policy has been not to enter areas when they have intelligence that hostages may be held there. The intelligence apparently wasn’t strong enough regarding the Rafah tunnel in question in what led the soldiers to approach the area, tipping off the Hamas lookouts, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

A preliminary investigation conducted by the IDF into the murder of the six hostages has found that Hamas lookout fighters positioned outside the Rafah tunnel spotted Israeli troops approaching and tipped off the guards who executed the captives before fleeing the scene.