The Israeli army says it is investigating but has been unable to refute or confirm claims from victims in separate incidents.
Hamas’ armed wing said an Israeli prisoner was killed in Gaza and two female captives were injured in a separate incident, days before a new round of ceasefire talks proposed by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, said in a statement on Telegram on Monday that the Israeli prisoner was killed by his guards.
Attempts are underway to save the lives of the two seriously injured men, he said, adding that a committee has been formed to investigate and further details will be announced.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said they were investigating the matter. “At this moment, we do not have any intelligence… that would allow us to refute or confirm Hamas’ claims,” Hagari said in a post on X.
Protesters in Israel Protesters gather weekly to demand a ceasefire agreement that will bring captives home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has been criticized for failing to finalize the deal and also for increasing tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The almost daily border clashes between the Lebanese group and Israeli forces, which have continued since the current conflict in Gaza broke out in October, have increased. Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in Beirut, hours after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
On Tuesday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is expected to hold an emergency meeting following an Israeli attack on a school turned shelter in Gaza City, which killed more than 100 Palestinians.
It will be the council’s 24th special session since the war in Gaza began on October 7.
So far, the UN Security Council has failed to stop the conflict, as the death toll in the enclave approaches 40,000. On October 30, an emergency meeting was held with a call to stop the fighting when the death toll was 8,000, but it has since risen to almost five times that number.
On 24 May, the UNSC met to pass a resolution condemning the murder of UN staff and aid workers. Since then, another 15 UN staff have been killed, as well as more aid workers.
The Gaza Health Ministry says at least 39,897 people have been killed and 92,152 injured since October. An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 were taken prisoner.
Qatar, Egypt and the US have scheduled a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza for August 15.
Hamas asked mediators to present a plan based on a proposal put forward by US President Joe Biden, rather than trying to find a new agreement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday “about the importance of Hamas returning to negotiations” this week to finalize “the framework for reaching a ceasefire immediate and lasting situation in Gaza and guarantee the release of all hostages.” said the US State Department.
Fidan said Israel must avoid “provocative actions” that could increase tensions and said Hamas had shown a “constructive attitude” in previous truce talks, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said.
He added that the assassination of Haniyeh in Iran on July 31 and the “ongoing massacre against the Palestinians demonstrated once again Israel’s lack of will to establish peace,” according to the Turkish ministry spokesman.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
