Hamas Threatens To Kill Israeli Hostages If Civilians Hit In Gaza, Country Says 'War Crime Won't Be Forgiven'

The armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas has warned that it will kill an Israeli hostage every time Israel's military bombs civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.

The military arm of the Palestinian group Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, has issued a dire warning, declaring its intention to execute Israeli hostages in response to what it claims are indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes on civilian areas in the Gaza Strip. Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, conveyed this menacing message in an audio statement released on Monday evening, news agency Associated Press reported. He asserted that this drastic measure was a direct reaction to the relentless aerial bombardments carried out by the Israeli military in residential zones.

Obeida stated, "We have decided to put an end to this, and as of now, we declare that any targeting of our people in their homes without prior warning will be regrettably faced with the execution of one of the hostages we are holding", as quoted by AP.

Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, responded to this ominous threat with a video statement, urging Hamas to refrain from harming the Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza. Cohen emphasised Israel's unwavering commitment to bringing these individuals home, saying "the spirit of mutual responsibility".

"We will defeat terror. We have no other choice. We demand Hamas not to harm any of the hostages. Their safety is their responsibility. This war crime will not be forgiven," Cohen said.

'Hamas Is Iran's Proxy, Executed Historical Massacre': Israeli Foreign Minister

The Israeli Foreign Minister emphasised that Hamas wants to "destroy Israel". "They received billions of dollars from the world. Any normal people who received billions of dollars from the world would use it to build hospitals, commercial centers, and industrial zones, not to dig tunnels to build a rocket factory, and 12 weapon factories to slaughter people," he said.

He also called Hamas "the proxy of Iran", adding that the Palestinian group executed a historical massacre that "the world will not forget."

1,400 Dead So Far In Israel-Hamas War

The recent conflict, which caught Israel's formidable military and intelligence apparatus off guard, has resulted in a significant loss of life. Israeli media reports indicate that at least 900 individuals have been killed in the multi-pronged attack launched by Hamas.

A staggering death toll of around 1,400 includes both Israelis and Palestinians, a somber testament to the intensity of the conflict, AP reported. For the first time in decades, Israel's streets have become battlegrounds as fierce clashes erupted in response to the surprise attack by Hamas.

The Israeli military has claimed substantial progress in regaining control in southern towns where they have been engaging Hamas militants. However, Hamas and other Gaza-based militant groups assert that they are currently holding over 130 soldiers and civilians who were taken from within Israeli territory.

To mitigate the risk of further breaches of the Gaza border fence and incursions, Israeli tanks and drones have been deployed. Additionally, thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from more than a dozen towns situated near the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has also initiated an unprecedented mobilisation effort, summoning 300,000 reservists within a remarkably short span to bolster its ranks in response to this escalating crisis, the report mentioned.

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