Netanyahu warns Hamas against harming hostages as Gaza City op begins: ‘You will have no shelter’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warns Hamas that Israel will “reach [them] much faster than [they] think” if they harm any of the remaining Israeli hostages, as the IDF begins a major ground operation in Gaza City.

At his press conference this evening, Netanyahu says he discussed the issue of the hostages with US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu says the two “discussed a possibility that came up, which is very, very important in my eyes—dealing with the issue of the hostages’ security.”

“As Hamas’s spokesperson said, they used our hostages as human shields — that is, placed them in locations that would endanger them. This is horrifying. It also horrified the president. He addressed it,” Netanyahu says, referring to remarks by Trump yesterday, warning Hamas against using the hostages as human shields.

Netanyahu adds his own warning to Hamas, saying: “If they harm a hair on the head of even one hostage, we will hunt them down with greater force until the end of their lives—and that end will come much faster than they think.”

“And this is what I say to Hamas’s leaders,” Netanyahu continues, “You will have no shelter anyway. But our effort to reach you will be redoubled sevenfold, and we will reach you much faster than you think.”

Hostage families have expressed severe concern for their loved ones over reports that Hamas is keeping hostages in Gaza City to deter Israeli forces from attacking.