Hamas armed wing says up to 70 captives killed in Israeli air strikes since October

The spokesperson of the armed wing of Hamas said Friday that seven captives have been killed in Israeli air strikes in recent weeks.

In a brief communique, Abu Obaida said this takes the death toll among captives to over 70 due to Israeli bombing.

"We have been keen all along to preserve the lives of the prisoners, but it has become clear that the enemy leadership is deliberately killing its prisoners to get rid of this issue," Abu Obaida said. 

He added that the price Hamas would take in exchange for the captives would be the same even if five or 10 of them remained alive. 

The group had previously aimed to free all Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the Israeli captives it captured on 7 October. 

Middle East Eye could not independently verify Hamas' latest statement. 

Israel previously said at least 30 captives have died in Gaza, some by Israeli fire.