Hamas claimed that 13 of the approximately 150 people it’s holding hostage in Gaza were killed in Israeli airstrikes in the past day.
Hamas said there were foreigners amongst those who died, but their nationalities were not disclosed. The recent fighting, which began when Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday, has resulted in more than 2,800 deaths on both sides.
An Israeli military spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, disputed Hamas’s claim. Hagari told Al-Jazeera Arabic that “we have our own information and do not believe the lies of Hamas.”
Gaza has been targeted by Israeli airstrikes and is facing a blackout. An Israeli ground offensive in the densely populated territory is expected.
Israel on Friday ordered roughly 1 million people to evacuate north Gaza, telling them to move to the southern part of the territory. The United Nations warned, however, that the movement of a large number of people within an initial 24-hour deadline would be disastrous.
“The Hamas terrorist organization waged a war against the State of Israel and Gaza City is an area where military operations take place,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) wrote in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “This evacuation is for your own safety.”
“You will be able to return to Gaza City only when another announcement permitting it is made,” the post continued. “Do not approach the area of the security fence with the State of Israel. Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City inside tunnels underneath houses and inside buildings populated with innocent Gazan civilians.”
The Associated Press contributed.