The ongoing Israeli attacks in the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict have killed 39,480 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, health authorities in the besieged Palestinian enclave said on Thursday.
During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 35 Palestinians and wounded 55 others, bringing the overall death toll to 39,480 and total injuries to 91,128 since the outbreak of the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict on last Oct 7, which has lasted for 300 days, the Hamas-run health authorities said in a statement.
As the Israeli army continues its operations across multiple locations in Gaza, an airstrike targeting a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City killed at least 15 people and injured several others on Thursday, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.
Israeli military operations have also resulted in the deaths of senior officials from Hamas and Hezbollah, the Lebanese-based armed political group.
Early Wednesday morning, the residence of Haniyeh in Tehran was hit in an airstrike after he attended the inauguration of Iran's new president, resulting in the death of Haniyeh as one of Hamas' highest-ranking officials and a bodyguard.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps of Iran says Haniyeh was killed by an "air-launched guided projectile" that struck the building. The attack happened just hours after Israel's strike on Beirut, which killed Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah condemned the Israeli attack on southern Beirut as an act of aggression and vowed definite response to the airstrike during his televised address at Shukr's funeral on Thursday.
Nasrallah stated that Israel has crossed red lines, saying that the war with Israel has entered a "new phase".
He emphasized that the only way to prevent further escalation is to pressure Israel to end its aggression on Gaza.
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel is at a very high level of preparation for any scenario, both defensive and offensive. In his address, he mentioned the deaths of Shukr and Mohammed Deif, a Hamas military commander, but did not refer to the killing of Haniyeh.
Israel's National Security Council warned on Thursday that Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah might target Israelis or Jewish sites abroad.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza reaches 39,480: health authorities
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
