Nine Hamas hostages have been killed due to Israeli airstrikes in the last 24 hours, the terror group has claimed.
Hamas said four foreign captives were among those killed, as fears remain for the safety of the 150 to 200 Israelis whose fate is unknown after they were abducted last Saturday.
The militant group previously said it would kill one Israeli civilian every time Israel targeted Gaza with airstrikes.
“We announce that every targeting of our people who are safe in their homes without warning, we will regretfully meet with the execution of our enemy’s civilian hostages,” it said.
At least 1,300 people have died and 3,227 have been injured in Israel since the country was attacked.
On Saturday, the Israel Defence Forces launched “localised raids” into Gaza to locate dead Israelis and attempt to find missing citizens.
“We are striking our enemies with unprecedented might,” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “I emphasise that this is only the beginning,”
Israel Defense Forces added on Twitter: “The IDF conducted raids in Gazan territory to eliminate the threat of terrorist cells and infrastructure. Soldiers collected evidence that will aid in locating hostages.”
The Israeli-American family of soldier Itai Chen, one of the dozens of people still missing— (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press All rights reserved)
Among those missing is the 75-year-old mother of British citizen Noam Sagi, who went missing from the Nir Oz kibbutz near the border with Gaza.
Mr Sagi has not heard from his mother, Ada, since she called in distress last Saturday morning to say Hamas gunmen had stormed the kibbutz.
Sharone Lifschitz, 52, has also not heard from her peace-activist parents, 85 and 83, who lived in the Nir Oz kibbutz and were kidnapped.
Mr Sagi has not heard from his mother, Ada, since she called in distress last Saturday morning— (AFP via Getty Images)
Sharone Lifschitz, 52, has also not heard from her peace-activist parents, 85 and 83— (AFP via Getty Images)
On Saturday, the Gazan health ministry said 324 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past 24 hours, with 1,000 more wounded. So far, 2,215 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 8,714 have been wounded.
On Friday, an Israeli airstrike killed 70 people in a convoy fleeing northern Gaza for the south, Hamas claimed. Among those killed were women and children, according to the BBC.
Two witnesses reported a strike on fleeing cars near Deir el-Balah, south of the evacuation zone and in the area where Israel told people to flee.
Fayza Hamoudi said she and her family were driving from their home in the north when the strike hit some distance ahead on the road and two vehicles burst into flames. A witness from another car on the road gave a similar account.
“Why should we trust that they’re trying to keep us safe?” Hamoudi said, her voice choking.
