The Israeli army deluged the Gaza Strip with leaflets on Tuesday urging residents to provide information about the hostages held by Hamas in return for financial rewards, AFP journalists reported.

The messages were dropped by Israeli aircraft amid the waves of air strikes targeting Gaza, which Hamas health officials said have killed more than 5,000 people.

“If you want a better future for yourself and your children, do the right thing and send us safe and useful information about kidnapped people in your area,” said the Arabic message on leaflets seen by AFP.

“The Israeli army promises to do everything to preserve your security and that of your homes, as well as a financial reward,” the leaflet added. “We guarantee you total discretion.”

The document provided a telephone number along with details regarding Telegram, Whatsapp and Signal messaging services, where information could be sent about the hostages.  

The Israeli army confirmed the launch of the effort.

“As part of the extensive efforts to free the Israeli and foreign national hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, the (army) today used multiple channels to communicate with the residents of Gaza and ask for information about the hostages,” the army said in a statement. 

More than 220 Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners were kidnapped by Hamas militants during their shock attack on southern Israel on October 7 which killed more than 1,400 people, according to Israeli officials.

Making false claims to avoid school is a common childhood behaviour that many people can relate to. However, one Chinese boy recently took an incredibly surprising step to escape school, and his story has gone viral on various Chinese social media platforms.

According to The South China Morning Post, a mischievous little boy in China who had not done his homework lied to police about his father hitting him so he did not have to face the consequences at school.

As per the news report, a seven-year-old child from Lishui in Zhejiang province, eastern China, called the police and claimed he was suffering violence at the hands of his father. The officers were quick to respond and immediately launched an inquiry.

The video clip of the interaction between the kid and the police officer that has gone viral on Chinese social media platforms shows that one officer is asking the youngster, “Did you call the police? Who hit you?”
 
“My dad”, the boy replies softly as he looks convincingly aggrieved.

The officer gently pats the boy on the back and inquires, “Was the hit like this?” The boy nods in agreement, prompting the sceptical officer to remark, “But that wasn’t very hard.”

After further investigation, the police determined that the boy had fabricated the story to avoid school because he had not finished correcting his test papers.

The kind-hearted officer didn’t react with frustration to the child’s deception. Instead, he chose to extend his support by offering to provide the young boy with a one-on-one tutoring session.

“Let Uncle first finish correcting the test paper for you, then I’ll take you to school”, he said to the boy.

“Remember, every child has an obligation to receive an education at school,” he told the youngster.

The video has gained immense popularity and entertained a wide audience on various Chinese social media platforms.

China has removed Li Shangfu from his position as defence minister and state councillor, state broadcaster CCTV said on Tuesday.

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the country’s top lawmakers, also voted to remove former foreign minister Qin Gang from his position as state councillor, CCTV said.

The committee appointed Yin Hejun as China’s science and technology minister and Lan Foan as finance minister.