Hamas' armed wing issues hostage threat over Israeli air strikes
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".
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."
The Israeli government believes dozens of Israelis are being held captive in Gaza after Hamas fighters infiltrated the country on Saturday.
Israel sends alerts warning Palestinians if they are in an area due to be targeted in an attack.
Since Israel began striking Gaza in response to the large-scale attacks by Hamas, nearly 600 people have died.
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