Killing claimed by Israel

ISRAEL'S military has said it has killed a longtime spokesman for armed wing of the Hamas militant group, as the country's security cabinet met to discuss the expanding offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas.

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Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, identified the spokesman as Abu Obeida, a pseudonym for the official who represented Hamas's Qassam Brigades. Mr Katz said was killed over the weekend. Gaza-based Hamas has not commented on the claim.

Mr Obeida's most recent statement was issued last Friday, as Israel began the initial stages of its new offensive and declared Gaza City a combat zone. His statement said the militants would do their best to protect living hostages, but warned they would be held in areas of fighting. He added the remains of dead hostages would "disappear forever"