The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 55,493, with 129,320 others injured, since the current round of conflicts between Hamas and Israel began on October 7, 2023, Gaza-based health authorities said on Tuesday.
Over the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks killed 61 Palestinians and injured 397 others, the health authorities said.
The health authorities also said in a statement that the Israeli army killed at least 51 Palestinians waiting for aid in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning.
More than 200 others were injured -- including 20 critically -- in the Israeli attack near the Al-Tahlia roundabout in Khan Younis, where a large crowd had gathered in anticipation of food aid being distributed.
The health authorities added that hospitals are struggling to cope with the large number of casualties, with emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating theaters operating well beyond capacity.
The statement said medical staff are working under extreme pressure amid critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies.
"The health system is on the verge of collapse due to a severe shortage of life-saving medications and medical resources," authorities said, calling on the international community and humanitarian organizations to urgently provide medical assistance to the Gaza Strip.
There was no immediate response from the Israeli military regarding the incident.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 55,493: health authorities
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
