Despite IDF claims to protect hostages, military attacks have repeatedly endangered and killed at least 20 Gaza captives

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have insisted they are doing everything possible to avoid harming hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Yet, since the onset of the war, Israeli military operations have repeatedly endangered the lives of at least 54 captives, killing at least 20, according to internal sources.

The situation remains dire for these hostages as military strikes continue in areas where their presence is not fully confirmed. An IDF source told reporters bluntly, “Where there is no information [about hostages’ presence], the attack proceeds.” This approach has left many fearing for the safety of the captives amid ongoing bombardments.

The conflict, now in its second month, has seen heightened tensions within the Israeli military itself. On April 7, a tense meeting took place at Tel Aviv’s Kirya military compound, where Air Force Commander Tomer Bar and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir urged reservist officers not to publish a letter opposing the war in Gaza. Former Air Force chiefs Eliezer Shkedy and Ido Nehoshtan were also involved in efforts to quell dissent and maintain unity within the ranks during this fraught period.

While the IDF continues to claim it is striving to minimise harm to civilians and hostages, the ongoing loss of hostage lives has cast a shadow over these statements. The delicate balance between targeting Hamas militants and protecting innocent captives remains an urgent and complex challenge for the Israeli military.

As international attention intensifies on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, calls for greater transparency and more precise military action grow louder. The fate of these hostages, many of whom have been held for months, remains a poignant symbol of the human cost of this escalating conflict.