In a perfect and ordered world, no..
But in preference to accomplishing the mission at minimum loss of Marines, yes.
I respect your observation. I admit to feeling a little ashamed of my desire to deliver Dresden to at least one lunatic Islamanazi city.. (But not much)
I will grant you that I wouldn't want to be the one responsible for making that decision....but wouldn't criticize the officer that did... Our compliance with the "conventions" hasn't humanized the enemy. He has used that knowledge against us..
These animals have made a practice of slaughtering captives, or using them as hostage to protect their own sorry asses.. This needs to be shown as a "pre 9/11" strategy.
The ultimate safety of hostages in the hands of these lunatics is slim to none if we are to learn from their past behavior... I suspect that when they see the end approaching, they would likely kill their hostages.
Your question initiated a lot of self questioning....and I don't really like the consequences of any of my answers -- but will admit to a bias of THEM dying rather than US..
I would like to think that I would be concerned enough for the "hostages" that I would take unnecessary loses to prevent harm to them....but I frankly am not certain of how I would react to the several scenarios that these Officers and kids will face..
I will admit to being slightly softened by your question...and reminded that we can't allow ourselves to be pulled down to their barbaric level --- but will also admit to a desire to terrorize and destroy the bastards on a LARGE SCALE to introduce "unconditional surrender" to their vocabulary..
Semper Fi
Bottom line: I'm not the sort who will shoot anyone and everyone in Fallujah. Heck, God was willing to spare Sodom & Gomorrah for the sake of ten righteous people. And the bad guys are brutalizing the (many) innocents in Fallujah.
BTW...consider ye this: where do you think our actionable intelligence was coming from? Would you cheerfully reward the guy dropping a dime on the tangos with the same fate as the terrorist?