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CanaryJul 31
Hamas Says One Israeli Hostage Killed, Two Injured in Gaza
Above: Al-Qassam Brigades fighters display their combat weapons in Maghazi camp July 19, 2023. Image copyright: Ahmad Hasaballah/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The spokesman for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida, said on Monday that an Israeli hostage was killed and two female captives were seriously injured in two separate incidents in Gaza.
Though he claimed that an al-Qassam fighter had shot dead a male hostage he was guarding, Ubaida said that further details — likely including their identities — would be announced later.
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
Hamas has formed a committee to investigate the two incidents, and attempts to save the lives of those injured are underway. Whatever happened doesn't change the fact that the occupation forces are to blame for onslaughts in Gaza and the reaction of Palestinians.
Pro-Israel narrative
There's no reliable information to confirm Hamas' claims, so one must take them with a grain of salt — particularly because many unreturned Israeli hostages have long been dead. These claims could merely be a piece of disinformation to put pressure on Israel ahead of the scheduled cease-fire talks.