Israeli female hostage killed in north Gaza area hit by Israel, says Hamas

Smoke rises at the site of an Israeli strike in the central Gaza Strip. 

Credit: Reuters Photo

A spokesperson for Hamas' armed wing said on Saturday that a female Israeli hostage had been killed in an area of northern Gaza that had been struck by Israeli forces.

Israel has been accusing Hamas of using hospitals and civilians as human shields, and has made public videos and photos to support that claim. 

Hamas rejects the allegations and says it does not use the civilian population or facilities for military purposes.