Israel strikes Rafah, says two captives freed

Israel has carried out air strikes in southern Gaza’s Rafah, killing dozens, according to health officials, as Palestinians brace for a major offensive on the densely crowded city. At least 63 people have been killed following the pre-dawn strikes on Monday. The Israeli strikes hit 14 houses and three mosques in Rafah, according to Palestinian officials. Israel’s military said it had struck several “terror targets” in the Shaboura district of Rafah and the strikes had concluded. Israel’s military also said it had rescued two captives taken by Hamas in an overnight operation in Rafah. Military officials said the captives, named Fernando Simon Marman and Louis Har, were in good condition. Hamas has warned that an Israeli ground assault in Rafah would “blow up” negotiations to release the group’s remaining captives in Gaza. Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud joins us on the phone from Rafah and Rory Challands joins us live from Occupied East Jerusalem to discuss the latest updates.