A spokesperson for the terror organisation's armed wing said the female hostage was killed in northern Gaza, but Israel's military has been unable to verify the validity of the claim.

Hamas says a female hostage has been killed during Israeli operations in northern Gaza. The woman's identity was not revealed, and it was unclear how or when she is said to have died. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was currently unable to “verify or refute” the claim, but that its representatives are in contact with the woman's family.

Hamas' acting Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya said in remarks broadcast on Wednesday that there would be no hostages-for-prisoners swap deal with Israel unless the war in the Palestinian enclave ended.