Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 48,189 despite ceasefire agreement

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 48,189, despite a ceasefire agreement, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement released on Sunday.

In the past 24 hours, Israeli military operations killed eight people and wounded two others in Gaza, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 48,189 and the number of injuries to 111,640 since the latest round of conflict began in October 2023, the statement added.

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza took effect on January 19, following more than 15 months of deadly strikes. The deal includes a 42-day initial truce phase, during which 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli jails are to be released.

Israeli media reported on Sunday that an Israeli delegation had arrived in Doha, Qatar, to begin negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.