The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 51,157 since the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Saturday.
In a statement, the health authorities added that 116,724 others have been wounded in the ongoing Israeli assaults.
Over the past 48 hours, 92 Palestinians have been killed and 219 others injured in Israeli military operations in the enclave, the authorities said.
Since Israel ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas and resumed deadly air and ground assaults on Gaza on March 18 of this year, 1,783 Palestinians have been killed and 4,683 others wounded, they added.
Israel launched several airstrikes across Gaza on Saturday, according to media reports.
In northern Gaza, Israeli forces struck a civilian area in the town of Beit Lahia, killing at least four people.
In central Gaza, two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp.
In southern Gaza, Israeli airstrikes hit tents sheltering displaced Palestinians, killing 10 people in the city of Khan Younis.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that one of its soldiers was killed and three others seriously injured in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday.
The killed soldier was G'haleb Sliman Alnasasra, a 35-year-old tracker from the Bedouin city of Rahat in southern Israel, according to the statement.
He was the first Israeli soldier to be killed in Gaza since the resumption of Israeli military operations in Gaza on March 18.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 51,157
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 51,157
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 51,157
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
