Hamas claims hostage killed in Israeli attack on northern Gaza

A woman who was kidnapped and taken to the Gaza Strip died in an Israeli attack in northern Gaza, the military arm of Hamas said on Saturday.

Abu Obaida, spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, said on Telegram that another female hostage was critically injured in the attack, attributing the information to the guards who had been holding the women captive.

The Israeli military said it was unable to confirm or deny the claim, but that it was in touch with the family of the Israeli hostage that Hamas says was killed. It also said it was studying footage of the alleged incident released by Hamas.

The Hamas spokesman did not provide any details about the identities of the two hostages. It was also unclear exactly when the alleged attack took place.

Following Israeli military operations in the past, Hamas has often claimed that hostages had been killed.

Of the approximately 100 hostages still under the control of Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, it is estimated that only about half remain alive.