Israel strikes and seals off Gaza, Hamas vows to execute hostages

Hamas' armed wing Ezzedine al-Qassem Brigades has said that they will kill one captive Israeli civilian for every new bombing of civilian houses in Gaza without prior warning.

Abu Ubaida, a spokesperson of the group, said that they have so far been acting in accordance with Islamic instructions by keeping the Israeli captives safe and sound.

"Every targeting of our people without warning will be met with the execution of one of the civilian hostages," the Ezzedine al-Qassem Brigades said in a statement quoted by AFP.

"The enemy doesn't understand the language of humanity and ethics, so we'll address them in the language that they understand," it added.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip over the past three days following missile strikes by Hamas.

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