Gaza Strip: Hamas Says Ambushed Israeli Soldier May Have Been Killed

The Palestine-based Hamas group has said it has "lost contact" with some of its fighters who ambushed Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, and presumes that all of them have been killed.

The military arm of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, said militants who were part of the attack against the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday have not made contact, and so the status of the 23- year-old Goldin remain unknown.

"The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades has no information on this soldier. We have lost contact with the combatant group that took part in the ambush, and we believe its members were killed in the [IDF] strikes. Assuming they managed to capture the soldier during the battle, we believe he may have also been killed."

Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in the attack which led to Hadar Goldin's disappearance.

US president Barack Obama has called for immediate release of Goldin, if ceasefire options are to make progress.

"If they are serious about trying to resolve this situation, that soldier needs to be unconditionally released as soon as possible."

Ever since the soldier disappeared, Israeli forces have stepped up their offensive in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 92 people.

Two rockets were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome over Tel Aviv.

The 72-hour ceasefire fell apart within 90 minutes of coming into effect, due to the ambush.

After a special cabinet session, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas would "bear the consequences of their actions".