Hamas has mentioned it is going to execute an Israeli hostage in response to any new Gaza Strip bombings that come with out a pre-warning – moments after a senior determine from the group instructed Sky News civilian captives could be handled “humanely”.
Doctor Basem Naim, Hamas’s head of political and worldwide relations, made his feedback to Sky’s Mark Austin earlier than rescue staff mentioned at the very least 100 our bodies had been recovered from Be’eri, a neighborhood in southern Israel that was seized by militants from the group.
Dr Naim had claimed that the group has not “killed any civilians” since its militants crossed the border from the Gaza Strip and launched a shock assault on Israel on Saturday.
In different developments:
• Israeli army tells civilians to organize for a three-day keep in bomb shelters or safe rooms
• Netanyahu says “we have only just begun”
• At least 900 Israelis and 500 Palestinians have been killed to date
Asked what number of hostages the militant group had taken and introduced into the Strip, Dr Naim mentioned he could not affirm an actual quantity, however mentioned they’d be handled in a “humane way, a proper way”.
He mentioned he might “100% guarantee” they are going to be protected and orders have been given to fighters to not kill or hurt aged folks, girls or youngsters.
However, moments later one other Hamas official mentioned it could start executing Israeli civilian captives in return for any Israeli bombing of civilian homes within the Gaza Strip with out warning.
Sky News understands Qatar is mediating between sides for an change of civilian hostages, together with girls and youngsters.
The assault on Saturday morning took Israel abruptly.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the assault would “change the Middle East”.
“I know you have been through terrible and difficult things,” he instructed authorities from the south of the nation. “What Hamas will go through will be difficult and terrible.
“We have solely simply begun.”
More than 1,000 Palestinian targets hit – follow live updates
Earlier on Monday, rescuers said they had recovered at least 260 bodies from the site of a music festival in Israel that was attacked by Hamas during its incursion.
However, Dr Naim had earlier told Sky News: “We haven’t killed any civilians.”
He added that he did not consider anyone “carrying weapons” as a civilian.
Dr Naim said: “We have responded to 75 years of occupation, we now have responded to 17 years of a suffocating siege, the silent killing of two.3 million Palestinians.”
He says people in the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, are “at all times below assault” and “by no means protected”.
“We live within the greatest open-air jail. You have to decide on both to die by F-35 or F-16 or to die silently of malnutrition,” he added.
The two days of violence between Israel and Hamas has reportedly left at the very least 900 Israelis and 500 Palestinians lifeless to date.
Meanwhile, Israel has additionally ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory ruled by Hamas, leaving it with no meals, electrical energy or gas.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres later mentioned he was “deeply distressed” by Israel’s determination to impose the siege.
It comes as Israeli forces proceed to battle Hamas militants in two places inside Israel after formally declaring battle on the Palestinian militant group.
Around 300,000 reservists have been referred to as up by the Israeli army as defence minister Yoav Gallant mentioned his nation was “battling beastly people” after Hamas launched its shock assault from Gaza on Saturday.
Israeli authorities mentioned a “huge rocket barrage” was fired on the nation on Monday, with media within the nation reporting that it got here from Hamas-controlled areas.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army mentioned it had hit greater than 1,000 targets contained in the Gaza Strip on Monday.
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Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), mentioned there’s nonetheless lively preventing with Hamas militants “constantly trying to cross over” the border.
“We expect this to continue because there’s a massive number of jihadis that have been trained to do this,” he instructed NBC.
This is regardless of Israeli troops having regained management in some areas of southern Israel.
The IDF has additionally mentioned it’s conducting strikes inside Lebanese territory. It mentioned particulars would comply with however offered no extra data.
The strikes come after quite a lot of reviews of firefights on the border with Lebanon, with the IDF claiming it had killed “a number” of “infiltrators”.
The Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which is backed by Iran, mentioned it had not tried any incursion.
More than 10 Britons are feared lifeless or lacking in Israel, Sky News understands.
At least 9 Americans have been confirmed lifeless with an extra three lacking.
Source: information.sky.com”