Hamas has begun moving some of the hostages it holds in the Gaza Strip to above-ground locations in an apparent new strategy to impede the Israeli military’s impending ground operation in Gaza City, according to a Monday report from Kan News.
The report, citing Palestinian sources, stated that some hostages are being held in private homes while others are being kept in tents, a deliberate placement intended to complicate any Israeli offensive and increase the risk of civilian casualties. This move is part of a broader strategy described as a "legitimacy ambush," which aims to exploit civilian deaths to generate international pressure on Israel to halt its military campaign.
Hamas Obstructs Civilian Evacuations
In a related effort to use the civilian population as human shields, Hamas is actively working to prevent residents from evacuating northern Gaza. The terrorist group has employed a combination of threats, public media campaigns urging residents to stay in their homes, and acts of violence against those attempting to flee. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has stated that Hamas officials have themselves attempted to flee Gaza while simultaneously instructing civilians to stay put.
