RAFAH- Gaza's government said Tuesday that Israeli air strikes on the besieged territory during the night killed at least 140 people. A statement from the government's media office said that more than 140 people were martyred and hundreds wounded in massacres committed by the occupation (Israel) raids".
More than 5,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments, according to the latest toll from the health ministry in Gaza.
Nurit Cooper, aged 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, aged 85 and their octogenarian husbands were among the hostages seized on October 7.
Hamas released Cooper and Lifshitz on Monday citing "compelling humanitarian" reasons, after mediation by Qatar and Egypt.
Thousands of buildings have been leveled and more than a million people are believed to have been displaced in the besieged territory.
Gaza City resident Ayman Abu Shamalah was among the tens of thousands who heeded an Israeli warning to flee to south Gaza.
Despite the move, he told AFP that his pregnant wife, their three-year-old son, and nine-year-old daughter were killed in an Israeli air strike on Rafah in southern Gaza.
"They put my son's shattered body in a blue bag," he said, sobbing.
Across Gaza, water, food, and other basic supplies are running out. Only a trickle of aid can cross into Gaza from Egypt. A few dozen trucks carrying food, medicine and water have entered Gaza since a US-brokered deal entered into operation on Saturday. The United Nations estimates about 100 trucks are needed every day. UN rights chief Volker Turk on Monday called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" to relieve the suffering and allow the delivery of aid.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
