The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has climbed to 53,901, with 122,593 injuries since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in early October 2023, according to a statement released on Saturday by Gaza-based health authorities.
In the past 24 hours alone, 79 Palestinians have been killed and 211 others injured in Israeli military operations, the health authorities said.
The renewed Israeli offensive since March 18 has led to 3,747 fatalities and 10,552 injuries in Gaza.
The Gaza Media Office said recently that 326 people have died as a result of severe shortages of food and medicine in Gaza amid Israel's 80-day blockade.
Since March 2, when Israel halted all aid shipments into Gaza, 58 died of malnutrition, 26 kidney patients lost their lives due to lack of treatment, and 242 victims, mostly elderly, died of hunger and medicine shortages, the media office said.
In addition, more than 300 women suffered miscarriages due to nutritional deficiencies, the media office said.
The media office accused Israel of spreading misinformation about allowing aid trucks into Gaza. It said that only about 100 trucks have entered the Gaza Strip, carrying limited supplies of medicine and flour, less than one percent of the region's basic needs.
The media office said that Israel's "starvation policy," by deliberately controlling the circulation and distribution of food, has further exacerbated humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
It called on the international community and humanitarian organizations to take urgent and immediate actions to open all crossings and allow humanitarian aids into the Gaza Strip.
More than 70,000 children in Gaza now face acute malnutrition, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said on Saturday. The agency also called for immediate, unrestricted aid deliveries.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday that all standing army infantry and armored brigades are now stationed in Gaza, signaling its readiness for intensified military operations against Hamas.
Apart from the Golani, Paratroopers, Givati, Commando, Kfir, Nahal, 7th, 188th, and 401st brigades, a small number of reserve units have entered Gaza.
The IDF had previously announced that five divisions are operating in Gaza, amounting to tens of thousands of troops.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 53,901
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 53,901
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 53,901
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
