Hamas holding hostages in homes, tents above ground in Gaza City to hinder IDF offensive

Hamas is preparing a so-called “legitimacy ambush” in Gaza City, aiming to exploit civilian casualties to increase international pressure on Israel to halt its offensive.

Hamas has begun moving some hostages above ground in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to hinder the IDF’s ground operations in Gaza City, Kan News reported Monday morning.

Palestinian sources said that some hostages are being held in houses while others are in tents.

Kan News also reported that Hamas is preparing a so-called “legitimacy ambush” in Gaza City. This strategy aims to exploit civilian casualties to increase international pressure on Israel to halt its offensive.

According to the report, Hamas is working to keep residents in the northern Gaza Strip and block their evacuation southward. The group has used threats, media campaigns urging residents to remain in their homes, and violence against those trying to leave, including threats of execution.

Gaza City under growing pressure

The IDF has stepped up strikes on Gaza City in recent days, hitting more than 500 military targets, including high-rise buildings converted into Hamas infrastructure. Among the targets were offices used for intelligence and surveillance, as well as observation posts embedded in civilian neighborhoods.

Ahead of a looming ground operation, the army has issued evacuation orders for large sections of the city. Civilians in areas such as the Gaza Port and southern al-Rimal were instructed to head south, toward designated humanitarian zones including Khan Yunis and al-Mawasi. According to UN estimates cited in Israeli reports, more than 280,000 Gazans have already fled Gaza City following these warnings.

Despite the evacuations, Hamas has sought to keep as many civilians in place as possible. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories said Hamas officials are attempting to flee Gaza while urging residents to stay behind, as an effort to use civilians as human shields in advance of the IDF’s entry into the city.

Commanders appointed

On Sunday night, Kan News said that Hamas appointed several senior commanders to oversee fighting on the ground. According to Palestinian sources, the four figures are Izz al-Din Haddad, head of the military wing; Raed Saad, head of the operations division; Muhammad Odeh, head of intelligence; and Mohand Rajab, a senior commander in the Gaza Brigade. Rajab is from a family long affiliated with Hamas and based in both Shujaiya and Tuffah.