Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 49,617 as Israel renews strikes

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has climbed to 49,617, with 112,950 others injured, as a result of more than 17 months of Israeli military operations, the Gaza health authorities said on Thursday.

Since the latest round of hostilities started on Oct 7, 2023, Israeli forces have conducted sustained military actions in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and inflicting heavy casualties.

On Jan 19 this year, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. As part of the first phase of the agreement, the Israeli military allowed residents of the Gaza Strip to cross the Netzarim Corridor at the end of January to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

Israel ended the two-month ceasefire and resumed Gaza bombardment on Tuesday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Israeli military said it had launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave.

The latest Israeli attacks have killed at least 710 Palestinians and injured 900 others in Gaza since Tuesday, Khalil al-Daqran, a spokesman for Gaza health authorities, said on Thursday.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 49,617 as Israel renews strikes

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 49,617 as Israel renews strikes

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 49,617 as Israel renews strikes

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 49,617 as Israel renews strikes

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 49,617 as Israel renews strikes

The organizing committee of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games has unveiled the titles, creative visions, and first talents of the opening and closing ceremonies, as Thursday marked 50 days before the event officially gets underway.

Scheduled from March 6 to 15 across multiple Italian cities, the Games will bring together 665 athletes from 50 countries and regions to compete for 79 gold medals across six sporting disciplines.

The opening ceremony, titled "Life in Motion," will be staged at the historic Arena di Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, presenting a tribute to change and transformation that seeks to redefine disability through a new harmony between people and the environment.

"I paid close attention to the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which I consider one of the three or four most beautiful in the history of Olympic ceremonies. This time at the ancient Arena di Verona, we will place greater emphasis on showcasing the human element," the ceremonies' artistic director Alfredo Accatino told a Chinese reporter at the event.

The closing ceremony, themed "Italian Souvenir," will be held on March 15 at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, guiding athletes, volunteers, and fans through a journey that captures the emotions and memories of the Games after days of competition and achievement.

Craig Spence, the International Paralympic Committee's Chief Brand and Communications Officer, believes that Italy will deliver "the best Paralympic Games" following the benchmark set by the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022.

"I think what China did in Beijing has really set the benchmark for all future teams competing in the Paralympic Winter Games in terms of performance. That's why I think Milano-Cortina will be the best Paralympic Games we've ever seen for sports," he said.

Milano-Cortina Paralympics reveal opening, closing themes as Games draw near