Israel Says Hostages Could Be Buried Beneath Gaza Rubble
Israeli officials have indicated that a number of hostages taken during the ongoing conflict may be buried under the debris of destroyed structures in the Gaza Strip, raising concerns about the challenges of rescue operations.
The assessment was disclosed during a briefing by the Israeli Defense Ministry, which highlighted that intensive aerial and ground surveys have identified several sites where collapsed buildings could conceal trapped individuals. The ministry emphasized that locating and extracting hostages in such conditions is technically demanding and may require specialized equipment and extended timeframes.
Since the escalation of hostilities earlier this year, more than 200 civilians and combatants have been reported missing, according to United Nations estimates. International humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for safe corridors to facilitate the retrieval of the missing, while also urging all parties to adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law.
Experts familiar with urban conflict scenarios note that rubble entrapment is a common risk in densely populated areas subjected to heavy bombardment. They point out that the use of ground-penetrating radar, drones, and canine units can improve detection rates, but success often depends on the stability of the structures and the presence of unexploded ordnance.
Local authorities in Gaza have expressed a willingness to cooperate with any coordinated effort aimed at locating the hostages, though they also stress the need for humanitarian aid to reach civilians displaced by the fighting. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have reiterated that the safety of the hostages remains a top priority and that all available resources are being mobilized to address the situation.
The situation remains fluid, and both sides have called for a cease‑fire to enable comprehensive rescue operations. Observers caution that without a sustained pause in hostilities, the window for safely recovering any buried individuals may narrow, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic initiatives aimed at de‑escalation.
