Retired four-star US Army General Barry McCaffrey
Retired four-star US Army General Barry McCaffrey has asserted that rescuing hostages from Hamas in Gaza would necessitate a massive ground operation involving tanks and troops. He emphasized the daunting challenge this task presents, warning of its catastrophic impact on Palestinian civilians.
McCaffrey’s key points:
- Complex Rescue Operation: McCaffrey described the rescue mission as an almost impossible task that would require Israeli forces to control Gaza’s ground level and conduct house-to-house searches. This would involve the use of armor, infantry forces, and air support to dominate the region while searching basements and tunnels.
- Hostage Situation: The hostages include women, children, and seniors who were captured during a wave of surprise attacks by Hamas. The exact number of hostages forcibly taken into Gaza remains unspecified, but estimates suggest around 100 individuals.
- Humanitarian Concerns: McCaffrey emphasized that a large-scale rescue effort in Gaza would lead to a significant increase in casualties for both Palestinians and Israelis. He described the operation as a “bloody mess” and catastrophic for the civilian population in Gaza.
- Urban Warfare Challenge: Urban warfare in densely populated Gaza presents a significant challenge, potentially neutralizing some of the advantages Israel typically enjoys in military operations.
- Uncertain Outcome: McCaffrey expressed uncertainty about how Israel could resolve the situation without substantial casualties among its own forces and extensive damage to the Gaza Strip.
The article notes that Israel’s Defense Ministry had not provided an immediate response to requests for comments on the matter.
Source: with agencies