Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 54,607

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has so far risen to 54,607, with 125,341 others injured, since the outbreak of the conflict between Hamas and Israel on Oct 7, 2023, said Gaza's health authorities on Wednesday.

In the past 24 hours, 97 Palestinians were killed and 440 others injured in Israeli attacks on various areas of the Gaza Strip, according to the health authorities.

Meanwhile, Israeli settlers launched attacks on Deir Dibwan in Ramallah area of the West Bank on Wednesday.

According to reports, the settlers set fire to vehicles and buildings and hurled stones at local residents, injuring 10 Palestinians.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.