Gazans call for end of warfare following Israeli-American hostage release

China

Gazans call for end of warfare following Israeli-American hostage release

2025-05-13 14:24 Last Updated At：17:27

The Palestinian people in the war-torn Gaza Strip looks forward to an improved situation in the enclave particularly with the resumption of food supplies and medicines, after a deal was made between Hamas and the United States on hostage release.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said in a press statement that it released Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander -- who has been captive in Gaza over the past 19 months -- from southern Gaza on Monday.

The deal came separate from the Israeli government, which was not involved in such a deal.

In a press statement, the Al-Qassam Brigades said the release of Alexander followed "contacts with the U.S. administration, as part of the efforts being made by mediators to achieve a ceasefire, open the crossings, and allow aid and relief to reach Gaza people in the Gaza Strip."

The people living in Gaza hold mixed views about the action.

"What's required from America is not just the release of the prisoner, Edan. What’s required is also an end to the war on Gaza, an end to support for Israel, and an end to the bombs. Every day, we die in Gaza from American bombs. We hope the support for Israel stops, and God willing, what's coming will be better than what we’ve lived through. May this war come to an end, for good," said Ibrahim Abu Ouda, a displaced person.

The agreement comes as Gaza faces dire shortages of food and medicine. Israel halted all aid deliveries on March 2 after a provisional ceasefire with Hamas expired, exacerbating conditions in the territory. Since resuming military operations on March 18, Israeli airstrikes have killed 2,749 Palestinians, and the total death toll is at least 52,862 people since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.

"I'm one of the people suffering here. Of course, I hope there's some glimmer of hope that this tragic situation we're living through will change. When I see my fellow people with food, water, and medicine, I feel happy. I rejoice in seeing them relieved. And we pray, God willing, that this is a good sign, and hopefully this time they'll be sincere and fix the situation," said Tulaat Hamdan, a displaced person.

"I'm pessimistic. There hasn't been a ceasefire in this two-year war that lasted more than a day. What is one day going to do for us, really? Then they're trading a prisoner just for food. No, I want to go home. I want to return to my land," said Izhaq Shabat, another displaced person.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar's Doha on Tuesday for talks on a new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, although the talks will take place "only under fire."

Israel has already declared that it will continue its war until it achieves its objectives, on top of which is eliminating Hamas, which has recently negotiated with the American administration without Israeli involvement.

Alexander is a U.S.-born soldier serving in the Israeli army, who was abducted on Oct. 7, 2023, in a Hamas-led raid on southern Israel that resulted in the seizure of 251 people as hostages and the killing of about 1,200 others.

Shenzhen home to 74,000 robotics firms

2025-06-24 23:23 Last Updated At：23:37

The city of Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province is fast becoming the world's most dynamic hub for humanoid robotics.

Home to over 74,000 robotics firms and more than 140,000 AI professionals, Shenzhen is not only powering the city's robotics boom through its thriving innovation ecosystem but also transforming the way robots are developed from sensor-packed feet to ultra-sensitive skin.

One of the front-runners is UBtech, a leading robotics innovator headquartered in the city. Back in 2022, its humanoid robots were only capable of walking, writing calligraphy, and practicing tai chi. Today, they are deployed in dozens of smart factories, including those run by Geely, BYD, and Foxconn, handling repetitive tasks once done by humans.

This year, UBtech plans to roll out 1,000 humanoid robots across factory floors.

"Over the past 15 months, our industrial humanoid robots have progressed through three generations, with each iteration faster than the previous," said Michael Tam, chief brand officer of UBtech.

This rapid development cycle, known locally as "Shenzhen Speed," is driven by deep research and development capacity and an unparalleled supply chain.

In Nanshan District alone, dubbed Shenzhen's "Robot Valley," over 30 robotics companies operate along a 10-kilometer stretch of Liuxian Avenue.

"We can quickly find efficient solutions across the entire supply chain, all within one hour," Tam said.

Hardware innovation plays an equally critical role. At Sycsense Technology, robots are being equipped with precision sensors and LiDAR systems that enable them to handle fragile tasks, like picking strawberries without damage.

"Here, you can finalize a design by morning and get a sample by evening. This is 'Shenzhen Speed,'" said Sycsense CEO Xiong Gengchao.

The speed mentioned by Xiong is underpinned by Shenzhen's dense and mature electronics ecosystem. RoboSense, a major supplier of LiDAR technology, is located just 20 minutes away from hundreds of robotics firms it serves.

"Shenzhen's electronics ecosystem delivers twin advantages: suppliers next door slash production time by 50 percent, while daily collaboration with nearby innovators accelerates our R and D," said Xie Tiandi, marketing director of RoboSense.

The city's concentrated supply chains and R and D power have led to a surge in innovation. In 2024 alone, robotics patent filings and grants rose more than 35 percent from the previous year. The sector reached 201.2 billion yuan (about 28 billion U.S. dollars), up 12.6 percent year on year.

Shenzhen's robotics rise is the result of over a decade of investment from government funding to talent cultivation, all of which aimed at building a globally competitive, full-stack innovation ecosystem.

Today, Shenzhen produces one-third of the world's LiDAR systems. And thanks to the seamless pipeline from lab to factory, the city is sending the country's humanoid robots onto the global stage at a pace no one can match.