hostage
Kirby has strongly condemned Hamas for breaking the cease-fire agreement between Israeli and Palestinian forces. He has pointed to evidence that Hamas continues to use civilian populations as human shields, amongst other activities, as evidence of their unwillingness to accept a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Kirby also alleged that Hamas was “holding more women and children hostage” in an attempt to force more concessions from Israel. In response to the cease-fire breach, Israeli officials have threatened a “painful response” to any future Hamas aggression.
