No. Soldiers captured in combat are not hostages. They are POW's, prisoners, captured enemy combatants. "Hostage" implies innocent by-standers, civilisations, people who have nothing to do with the armed conflict.
[ - ] BMN003 1 point 3 hoursMay 13, 2025 20:01:59 ago (+1/-0)
The only reason to give quarter is when you expect your opponent to do the same. They kill your people instead of taking them prisoner, you kill their people instead of taking them prisoner. The same applies whether it's immediately after they surrender or if they've been in your custody for a while
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 1 point 8 hoursMay 13, 2025 15:48:18 ago (+1/-0)
Since when is a soldier captured in a military action referred to as a "hostage"?
[ + ] observation1
[ - ] observation1 1 point 6 hoursMay 13, 2025 17:13:59 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 0 points 6 hoursMay 13, 2025 17:18:01 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] observation1
[ - ] observation1 1 point 6 hoursMay 13, 2025 17:19:22 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 0 points 6 hoursMay 13, 2025 17:21:57 ago (+0/-0)
How many Palestinians are being held hostage, without charge, in Israel?
[ + ] observation1
[ - ] observation1 1 point 6 hoursMay 13, 2025 17:31:35 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Deleted
[ - ] deleted 0 points 6 hoursMay 13, 2025 17:35:39 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] BMN003
[ - ] BMN003 1 point 3 hoursMay 13, 2025 20:01:59 ago (+1/-0)
PoWs are by definition hostages.