Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 55,637

The Palestinian death toll in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip has risen to 55,637, with 129,880 others injured, since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began on October 7, 2023, according to Gaza's health authorities.

Over the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks have claimed 144 Palestinian lives and injured 560 others, the health authorities said on Wednesday.

As the conflict rages on, the situation remains dire for those seeking aid and safety.

At least 37 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and shelling across Gaza on Wednesday, including 14 near two U.S.-backed aid centers, local sources said.

Witnesses said that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathering for humanitarian aid near the Netzarim junction in central Gaza. Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat reported receiving 11 bodies and treating over 70 wounded.

Separately, at least three Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded in Israeli shelling near another U.S.-backed aid distribution point west of Rafah in southern Gaza, medical sources said.

The Israeli military has not commented on the incidents.

In Khan Younis, five people were killed when an Israeli drone struck tents sheltering displaced families in the al-Attar area of Mawasi, Gaza Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal said.

Basal said 10 others, including women and children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in al-Maghazi refugee camp, while eight were killed in another strike on a home in Gaza City's al-Zeitoun neighborhood.

In Gaza City, al-Shifa Hospital director Mohammed Abu Salmiya said hospitals were overwhelmed, with patients lying on floors, in corridors, and operating rooms due to severe overcrowding. He called the situation "catastrophic" and warned residents to avoid U.S. aid distribution points, calling them "death traps."

The Israeli military said troops were operating in Jabalia, northern Gaza, eliminating militants, dismantling military infrastructure, and seizing weapons hidden in civilian areas.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 55,637

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 55,637

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.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked