Islamic Jihad says it is holding 30 hostages in Gaza

Islamic Jihad a Palestinian militant faction who also carried out terrorist attacks in Israel is holding at least 30 hostages in Gaza, who were captured Saturday, according to the group's general secretary, Ziyad al-Nakhala.

The group is calling for Israel to release some of its fighters in exchange for freeing the hostages.

The Islamic Jihad movement currently has more than 30 prisoners and they will not return to their homes until our prisoners are released”, al-Nakhala said in a recorded televised speech late Sunday, CNN reports.

The total number of hostages taken during Hamas' attack this weekend is not yet clear, but Israeli officials have said there are dozens of prisoners.