At least 2,985 Palestinians had been killed and 8,173 others injured since Israel renewed its intensive strikes, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 53,119, and injuries to 120,214, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Friday.
According to information released by the Civil Defense in Gaza on Friday, the Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in the northern Gaza Strip has surpassed 100 during the past 12 hours.
In a statement later in the day, the Gaza health authorities confirmed that at least 109 deaths and 216 injuries had been transferred to hospitals on Friday.
Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, said in a statement that it was "a difficult and bloody day for the northern Gaza Strip."
According to Palestinian medical sources, most of the victims were women and children.
Eyewitnesses and security sources reported that Israeli air and ground raids continued unabated since the early hours of the morning, targeting residential homes and shelters in Jabalia and Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Some victims remain under the rubble where medical crews were unable to reach, they added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that with the direction of intelligence, its troops are continuing their operational activity against the militant groups in the Gaza Strip, striking "over 150 terror targets" across the territory, including anti-tank missile posts, terrorist cells, military structures, and operational centers.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 53,119
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.
In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.
"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.
Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.
Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.
"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.
Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.
Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.
"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.
Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela
