Amidst the Israel Defense Forces readying to retaliate against the Hamas terrorist group responsible for launching a surprise attack that has now claimed the lives of 900 people, Hamas's leadership is threatening to kill any hostages taken and release footage of these executions for all to see. 

The message was handed down by Hamas Spokesman Abu Obeida, who released an audio recording of the threat. 

“From this moment on, we announce that any targeting of innocent civilians without warning will be met — regretfully to say — by executing of the hostages in our custody, and we will be forced to broadcast this execution," said Obeida.

NEW: Hamas is now threatening to execute civilian hostages and air each execution via live television.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas’ armed wing, issued the warning in an audio recording.

“We have decided to put an end to this... we declare that any targeting of our… pic.twitter.com/Ps3Ogr6PRw

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) October 9, 2023

The threat stipulates that this will be done if the IDF targets innocent civilians, but Hamas operates its military bases within civilian-rich places that attract the most sympathy, such as hospitals and schools. This effectively makes it impossible to engage Hamas without killing civilians in the process. 

This is part of the Hamas strategy. 

Back in 2014, then-Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on al-Aqsa TV that Palestinian people consider this an honor. 

"This attests to the character of our noble, jihad-loving people – who defend their rights and their homes with their bare chests and their blood," said Zuhri.

“The policy of people confronting the Israeli warplanes with their bare chests in order to protect their homes has proven effective against the occupation… we in Hamas call upon our people to adopt this policy in order to protect the Palestinian homes.”

It's currently unclear how many hostages Hamas has and whether or not those who were taken are even still alive within Hamas territory, but sadly, their doom may have been sealed from the beginning. Hamas knew Israel would retaliate and likely wouldn't stop for hostages. Hamas can use these deaths against the Israelis on the global stage to weaken sympathy for the country. As Obeida used the term "forced," you can see the narrative already being set up to make it seem like Hamas had no choice but to do this in a desperate attempt to stop what they want you to believe is an unjustified onslaught. 

In fact, as highlighted by the Gatestone Institute, Hamas often inflates the number of people killed by Israel by including everything from domestic violence to people accused of being Israeli collaborators. 

If the IDF has plans to rescue these hostages, it is currently unknown. As of this writing, the IDF is currently sieging the Gaza Strip. Any hostages that can be rescued will be, but it's likely Hamas will use them as a means of delaying the IDF if possible. 

However, as the IDF has made clear, the ultimate goal is the complete destruction of Hamas:

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said Sunday that the priority for the coming hours and days was to “control the entire enclave and kill all the terrorists in our territory.”

(READ: Israel Lays Siege to Gaza Strip Amid War With Hamas)