Any Israeli military escalation against Palestinians would most likely lead to the killing of some captives, a spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, has said.

The spokesperson, Abu Obeida, accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire and Netanyahu of putting his own interests “above the lives of the captives”. He added that Israeli threats of further war and blockades will not secure the release of the remaining captives.

Abu Obeida said that Hamas has “proof of life” for all of the remaining captives but that “any escalation of aggression against our people will lead to the killing of a number of enemy captives”.

“We are ready for all eventualities,” he added.