An Israeli couple used their last seconds of life to save their baby twins.
Local news outlet Walla reports Itai and Hadar Berdichevsky heard Hamas militants trying to break down the door of their home in Kfar Gaza.
The 30-year-olds knew time was running out and they collected their two 10-month-olds and placed them in a hidden shelter.
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Itai and Hadar were then shot dead by Hamas fighters.
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The babies sat in the shelter for more than 12 hours until Israeli defence force troops came to their rescue.
They were handed over to their devastated grandmother for care.
Israel's ambassador to Colombia, Gali Dagan, praised the selfless couple for their final moments of braveness.
"They hid their 10-month-old twin children in the shelter while terrorists infiltrated their home," he said on Twitter.
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"Itay and Hadar were brutally murdered after bravely fighting the terrorists.
"Imagine the horror. Two terrified parents doing everything they can to save their children, who are now orphaned.
"Blessed be the memory of these heroes."
Hamas launched a series of coordinated attacks on Israel over the weekend.
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The assault has seen hundreds of people in the country killed, while scores more have been injured.
One of those attacks was centred on a techno music festival, where 260 party goers were gunned down.
CNN says at least 100 civilians have been taken to Gaza as hostages.
Israel's Iron Dome defence system has been preventing as many missile attacks from Gaza as possible and has launched retaliatory airstrikes on the besieged territory.
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Hundreds of people in Gaza have been killed by these missile strikes, buildings have been reduced to rubble and thousands have been displaced.
Hamas has warned they will execute hostages every time Israel attacks Gaza.
Abu Obeida, spokesman of the Qassam Brigades, said: "We announce that every targeting of our people who are safe in their homes without warning, we will regretfully meet with the execution of our enemy’s civilian hostages."
He added: "It has become clear that the enemy’s hostages are at risk to the same extent as our people in light of the aggression against the Gaza Strip.
"We affirm that we will not deliberate or negotiate on the issue of hostages under fire, in light of aggression, or in light of battle."
He said Hamas' attack on Israel came 'after the Zionist tyranny reached its peak in the desecration of the blessed Al-Aqsa and the aggression against it and against our people everywhere'.
Topics: Israel, World News
