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Israeli security officials have privately acknowledged to the families of hostages that they lack precise information on where their loved ones are being held, according to a report by N12 on Wednesday evening.
The revelation stands in stark contrast to recent public assurances from both political and military leaders, who have repeatedly emphasized that operations in Gaza are being conducted with great caution in areas believed to hold hostages.
Families who participated in the meeting described the account as sobering and far more uncertain than previously indicated.
A senior defense official reportedly told attendees: “We do not know where the hostages are being held. Our assessment, based on survivor testimony, suggests they are likely in certain areas. However, we have no precise information.”
The official added that hostages are believed to be moved frequently, both above ground and through the tunnel networks, making their rescue even more complex.
One family member asked how the military could avoid harming hostages during ongoing raids without knowing their locations. The defense official acknowledged the difficulty but insisted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are taking every possible measure to prevent casualties.
Following the meeting, several relatives told N12 that the private briefing painted a far bleaker picture than the government’s public statements.
They warned that the lack of concrete intelligence significantly raises the danger to hostages, particularly as Hamas is suspected of relocating them to avoid detection. A recent Hamas video, appearing to show captives in a new location, has heightened those concerns.
The report comes at a time of growing international attention on the hostage crisis. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump posted on social media accusing Hamas of moving hostages to shield them from Israeli air and ground operations. “This is a human atrocity. Release all the hostages now,” Trump wrote.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed the issue during a visit to Gaza City, where he stressed that the military had presented the full scope of risks to the cabinet before launching its latest offensive, Operation Gideon’s Chariots II.
“It is my responsibility as chief of staff to outline the full range of security implications before any decision is made,” Zamir said.
The admission has also highlighted tensions between the Israeli government and military officials over the handling of operations in areas where hostages may be present.
For families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones, the uncertainty has only deepened their fears that the hostages may be used as human shields in the escalating conflict.