Hamas ‘abduct an Israeli soldier’

The armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas group claimed it had kidnapped an Israeli soldier last night, prompting celebrations in the streets of Gaza City.

“The Israeli soldier Shaul Aaron is in the hands of the Qassam Brigades,” a spokesman using the nom-de-guerre Abu Obeida said in a televised address.

A spokeswoman for the Israeli military said it was aware of the claim and was investigating.