Ahead of Gaza ceasefire talks, Hamas kills 1 Israeli hostage

Ahead of the talks for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of all hostages later this week, Hamas on Monday killed one hostage held in captivity.

During the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, the terrorists abducted around 250 Israelis and other nationals and took them to Gaza as hostages. While around 100 were released during a brief truce last year and four were rescued by the Israelis, around 100 are still believed to be held in captivity in Gaza.

Now, Hamas has said that it has killed one hostage, according to a statement released by the terrorist group.

The United States along with mediators Qatar and Egypt have called upon Israel and Hamas to meet on Thursday and finalise a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of all hostages. The deal would be in line with the three-stage proposal floated by US President Joe Biden in May that has been subject to several weeks of negotiations.

Hamas kills 1 hostage, harms 2 others

In a statement on Monday, Hamas said it shot and killed an Israeli hostage and harmed two other women hostages in two separate incidents, according to AFP.

“In two separate incidents, two recruits assigned to guard enemy prisoners fired at a Zionist prisoner, killing him immediately, and also injured two female prisoners critically,” said Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida in a statement carried by the news agency.

Hamas, just like its backer Iran, used the term Zionist Entity for Israel and calls Israelis Zionists as it opposes the Israel’s right to exists. Just like Iran, Hamas is committed to the destruction of the State of Israel.

The Hamas statement did not identify the murdered hostage. It said that “attempts are being made to save the lives” of the two women it harmed.

Even as Hamas announced the killing of the hostage, the Israeli military said in a statement that there is no information to confirm or refuse the statement.

Hamas blames Israel for killing of hostage

After killing the hostage, Hamas blamed Israel.

Hamas spokesperson Abu Ubaida said Israeli “massacres” were responsible for the hostage’s killing, according to Reuters.

“The enemy government [Israel] bears full responsibility for these massacres and the resulting reactions that affect the lives of Zionist prisoners,” said Abu Ubaida, as per the news agency.

Abu Ubaida further said the Hamas has formed a committee to investigate the killing of the hostage.