One Israeli male hostage was killed by his guard and two women captives were seriously wounded in two separate incidents in Gaza, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida, said, Reuters reports.

Abu Ubaida blamed the incident on what he described as Israeli “massacres” against Palestinians.

“The enemy government bears full responsibility for these massacres and the resulting reactions that affect the lives of Zionist prisoners,” Abu Ubaida said in a statement posted on Telegram.

He said a committee has been formed to investigate, and findings will be announced later, adding efforts are underway to save the two wounded hostages.

It was the first time Al-Qassam has said its guards killed hostages. The group has often attributed previous killings of hostages to Israeli bombardment.