Hamas Threatens To Kill Hostage If Israel Doesn't Stop Airstrikes On Gaza

Hamas On Monday said it would kill a hostage if Israel continues to attack civilians in Gaza. It further said that it would post the video of the execution of a hostage online.

Hamas armed wing spokesman Abu Ubaida said they have been acting in accordance with Islamic instructions by keeping the Israeli captives safe and sound, blaming the intended move on Israel's stepped-up bombing and killing of civilians inside their homes in air strikes without warning them.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted his response to Hamas would "change the Middle East".

A video was shared by Prime Minister Netanyahu on X, formerly Twitter, with the caption "We started. Israel will win." The video showed a building turned into rubble after airstrike.

On the other hand, Defence Minister of Israel Yoav Gallant directed a "complete siege" of the Palestinian militant group Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. "I have given an order - Gaza will be under complete siege. There will be no electricity, food or fuel [delivered to Gaza]. We are fighting barbaric [terrorists] and will respond accordingly," Gallant was quoted as saying.

The deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas claimed over 900 lives in Israel while as many as 560 people lost lives on the Gaza side.

A spokesperson said the Israeli military regained control of border communities taken by Hamas fighters during the attack. But Palestinian militants continued firing barrages of rockets, setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Israel on Sunday declared war and directed the Israeli military to take firm action to retaliate against Hamas for Saturday's surprise attack.

The skies of Gaza are blackened with thick smoke from deafening explosions as Hamas kept launching rockets as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where missile defence systems fired and air raid sirens blared.