Israeli troops rescuing hostages would be an ‘incredibly difficult operation’

Former Australia ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma says it will be an “incredibly difficult operation” for Israeli troops to retrieve kidnapped civilians from Hamas forces.

“Israel will obviously need to balance the rightful desire to get back its citizens and the families of those who have been abducted and kidnapped with its military objectives,” Mr Sharma told Sky News host Sharri Markson.

Mr Sharma said it seemed clear Israel troops have the military objectives to be the “complete destruction of Hamas” and the capturing of its leaders.

“I don’t see how this conflict can end any other way,” Mr Sharma said.

“Reconciling that objective with protecting or potentially rescuing these hostages is very difficult.”