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

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.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela