Hamas says it is holding dozens of Israeli soldiers captured in surprise incursion

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Hamas militant group says it is holding “dozens” of Israeli soldiers captive in the Gaza Strip.

Abu Obeida, spokesman for the group's military wing, said the soldiers, including some officers, were captured during a surprise infiltration into southern Israel on Saturday.

He said the captives were being held in “safe places” and militant tunnels.

If true, the claim could set the stage for complicated negotiations on a prisoner swap with Israel, which is holding thousands of Palestinians in its prisons.

Israel in the past has agreed to lopsided exchanges in order to bring captive soldiers home.