: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (September 16) that Hamas militants will be in "big trouble" if they use Gaza hostages as human shields.

Trump spoke as Israel launched a large ground offensive against Gaza City. He spoke to reporters as he left the White House for a state visit to Britain.

On Tuesday, an Israel Defence Forces official said ground troops were moving deeper into the city, towards its centre, and that the number of soldiers would rise in coming days to confront up to 3,000 Hamas combatants the IDF believes are still in the city.

"Gaza is burning," Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on X. "The IDF strikes with an iron fist at the terrorist infrastructure and IDF soldiers are fighting bravely to create the conditions for the release of the hostages and the defeat of Hamas."

Gaza health officials reported at least 40 people killed, most of them in Gaza City, in the early hours of the assault, as airstrikes swept across the city and tank incursions were reported by residents in several areas.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 16, 2025) (US NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, APPROACHING REPORTERS WAITING FOR HIM AT WHITE HOUSE SOUTH LAWN

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, IN EXCHANGE WITH OFF-CAMERA REPORTER, SAYING:

"I hear Hamas is trying to use the old human shield deal and if they do they are going to be in big trouble, they are going to be in big trouble. They put it out two days ago that they are going to use hostages as human shields. And that is something they haven't done for a long time."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, IN EXCHANGE WITH OFF-CAMERA REPORTER, SAYING:

"If they put the hostages in front of them, Hamas as protection, where they call them bodyguards, Hamas is going to have hell to pay."