Israeli Bombs Rate Mosques And Houses In Rafah, The Death Toll Of Palestinians Now Reaches 29,410 People

Israeli military land operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Israeli bombs in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip razed a mosque and destroyed houses in an event that residents called one of their worst nights, leaving the death toll of Palestinian civilians growing.

The mourners lamented at least seven bodies in a body bag, laid on a rocky road outside a morgue in the city near the Egyptian border, where more than half of the 2.3 million Palestinian enclave residents are now displaced, mostly in tents.

Al-Farouk Mosque in central Rafah City was leveled to concrete slabs, while nearby building facilities were destroyed. Authorities said four houses were destroyed in the south of the city and three in the middle of the city.

Gaza's Ministry of Health said 97 people were confirmed dead and 130 injured in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours, but most of the victims were still under the rubble or in areas that could not be reached by rescue teams.

Meanwhile, local residents said the bombing was the heaviest since Israel began an attack on Rafah ten days ago, in which they managed to free two hostages but a number of civilians were killed.

"We couldn't sleep, the sound of explosions and the roar of planes didn't stop," said Jehad Abuemad, who lives with his family in a refugee camp.

"We can hear children crying in nearby tents, people here desperate and helpless, Israel shows its strength to them," he continued.

Gaza authorities say at least 20 people were also killed in the bombing of two houses in the central part of the Gaza Strip, the only other important territory that has not been invaded by Israeli forces in their five-month attack.

Gaza's Ministry of Health on Thursday said the number of Palestinians killed since the war broke out in the region had reached 29,410, while injuries reached 69,465, quoted from The Times of Israel.

Israel launched a blockade, bombing and ground operations in Gaza, after Hamas militants stormed their southern region on October 7, leaving about 1,200 people dead and holding 253 others hostage.