China’s 47th naval escort taskforce completes new escort mission

The 47th fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently wrapped up an escort mission for a civilian cargo ship.

The civilian cargo ship, Zhenhua 35, carried 26 Chinese crew members on board. It marked the 1661st mission of the fleet since it began undertaking escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia since late December last year.

The 47th navy fleet comprises a guided-missile destroyer, a missile frigate and a supply vessel. It carries over 700 officers and soldiers, with two helicopters and more than 10 special force members on board.

China’s 47th naval escort taskforce completes new escort mission

The death toll in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip has risen to 71,441 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on Oct 7, 2023, with the number of injuries reaching 171,329, said Gaza's health authorities on Thursday.

In the past 24 hours, hospitals in Gaza received two bodies, according to the health authorities.

Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct 11, 2025, Israeli attacks have killed 451 people and wounded 1,251 others in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 71,439: health authorities