Hamas threatened on Monday to start executing hostages if Israel carried out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip without prior warning to residents.
The armed wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam brigades, has announced it will “begin executing an Israeli civilian captive in return for any new Israeli bombing of civilian houses without pre-warning”.
Hamas taking a family hostage. pic.twitter.com/Ru5Nhbj0dK
— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) October 10, 2023
Al Qassam spokesman Abu Obaida, in a post on Telegram, blamed the move on “Israel’s stepped-up bombing and killing of children, women, and the elderly inside their homes”.
He added that “the ball is in their [Israel’s] court from now on.”
Palestinian militants abducted more than 100 people during a surprise multi-front attack in which they killed more than 700 – making Saturday the deadliest day in Israel’s history. Israeli media said on Monday the death toll had climbed to 900.
The Times of Israel reports that officers are preparing to inform 100 families that their loved ones have been taken hostage by Hamas and are being held in Gaza.
Citing the Israeli Army radio, the Times of Israel reports, “The Israel Defence Force is sending out officers today to inform over 100 Israeli families that their relatives are being held in Gaza by Hamas”.
It adds that “UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan tells CNN that Israel estimates ‘that the number is between 100-150 people’.’”
Israel orders complete seize of Gaza
Meanwhile, Israel ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip on Monday as it retaliated for the largest and deadliest incursion into its territory in decades.
The Israel Defence Forces have announced that more than 200 targets have been struck overnight in Gaza.
“In recent hours, IDF warplanes and vessels have attacked many targets of the terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip. Dozens of fighter jets attacked over 200 targets throughout the Rimal neighborhood and Khan Yunis during the night,” it said in a post in X accompanied by a video showing buildings being destroyed.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of Israel said that “no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel” would be allowed into Gaza, the crowded and impoverished coastal territory that is already under a 16-year blockade by Israel and Egypt.
Israeli warplanes struck hundreds of sites in Gaza, which is controlled by the militant group Hamas, including mosques and a marketplace, while Israeli troops battled to regain control of towns overrun on Saturday by Hamas gunmen.
The US has already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, the White House said Monday, as the Pentagon reviews its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the three-day-old war with Hamas.
John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed Monday evening that the first batch of military aid in the wake of the violent assault by Hamas militants is “making its way” to Israel.
The delivery came as President Joe Biden confirmed that at least 11 Americans were killed in the violence over the weekend.
Related: How Hamas Was Able to Breach Israel’s Defenses