Israeli authorities are investigating a claim by Hamas that a female hostage held in Gaza has been killed during ongoing Israeli military operations.

Hamas, which has not yet disclosed the woman’s identity, alleged her death occurred after communication with her captors was restored following weeks of silence.

Abu Ubeida, spokesman for Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades, also claimed another female hostage held alongside her was injured and remained in critical condition.

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated they are working to verify the report and are in contact with the woman’s family.

“This evening, the terrorist organization Hamas released a document in which a kidnapped woman is allegedly seen killed,” the IDF said.

“We are checking the information and at this stage cannot verify or refute it.”

Israel believes approximately 60 hostages are alive in Gaza, with the bodies of dozens more believed to remain in the territory.

The hostages were taken during Hamas’s surprise assault on October 7, which left about 1,200 people dead and 251 abducted.

The report comes as Israel continues its military operations against Hamas in Gaza. The IDF has described its campaign as a response to the unprecedented attack, aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli airstrikes in the past 48 hours have killed 120 people.

Since the conflict began, nearly 44,000 have been killed and over 104,000 injured in Gaza, according to the same source.

Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by countries including the US, UK, and EU, complicating international efforts to address the ongoing conflict.

Israeli officials stated their commitment to securing the release of remaining hostages as part of their broader operation in Gaza.