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
Overseas buyers have extended their journey from exhibition halls to factories after the second phase of the 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, concluded in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.
The second phase, held from April 23 to 27, focused on "quality home life," including building materials, furniture, household products, gifts and decorations.
Many overseas buyers have taken their engagement a step further by visiting manufacturers' production facilities in person to inspect operations and explore cooperation opportunities.
A leading customized home furnishing company based in Guangzhou has been very busy in the wake of the fair's second phase. The company has been inundated with requests from international buyers eager to tour its factories, negotiate deals and place orders.
"In the past two days alone, we have already received more than 50 groups of overseas visitors at our factory. We expect another 40 to 50 batches of clients to visit in the coming days," said An Yujin, head of the overseas business department of the enterprise.
International buyers visiting the factory hail from a wide range of regions, including Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. Many initially had reservations about the company's capacity for large-scale production and its ability to maintain consistent quality.
However, after touring the smart factory and seeing its automated production lines, they cleared their doubts and showed strong interest in deeper cooperation.
"The factory was actually very impressive. I've been to many factories around the world. [For] this one with the amount of AI technology and [where] there were robotics that are going through, it was actually quite impressive. Our big question always comes down to quality and standard -- can they maintain the same quality with large volume? And it seems like they answered that for us today," said a Canadian buyer.
The Canton Fair runs from April 15 till May 5 in three phases, each highlighting categories from advanced manufacturing to home living and lifestyle products. Covering 1.55 million square meters, the fair features 75,700 booths and more than 32,000 enterprises, including about 3,900 first time exhibitors.
Established in 1957, the Canton Fair takes place twice a year in Guangzhou. It is the longest-running of several comprehensive international trade events in China, and has been hailed as the barometer of China's foreign trade.
Overseas buyers head from showrooms to factory floors following Canton Fair visit
