Although the world’s attention has turned to the crisis in Iran following days of Israeli and U.S. attacks there, the suffering in Gaza continues, especially for children, as relentless Israeli bombardments continue to claim lives, overwhelm hospitals, and worsen the humanitarian crisis.
After each airstrike, children are rushed to overcrowded hospitals with shattered limbs, or pulled lifeless from the rubble of destroyed homes.
The death toll in Gaza has risen to 55,959, with 131,242 others injured since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began on Oct 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said on Sunday.
In the past 24 hours alone, Israeli attacks killed 51 more people and injured 104 others, the authorities said.
Dozens were killed while waiting for food at aid distribution points or inside tents sheltering displaced families.
Outside a hospital, a grieving mother mourned the loss of her son.
"My son was martyred, just like so many other young men. None of them is better than the other. They are all our children. Thanks be to God in all circumstances," she said.
Inside Gaza's main hospitals, doctors say they are unable to treat many of the injured due to a lack of medical supplies, fuel, and space.
"Three hundred casualties arrived at the hospital's reception, yet we're barely equipped to treat even a few dozen. The injured are piling up in hallways and corridors. Most arrived in critical condition, and tragically, many have died due to severe shortages of medical supplies and the lack of available beds," said a doctor at al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip.
Despite focus on Iran, Israeli strikes on Gaza bring acute suffering
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Italy and Greece on Saturday to protest against U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with protesters in Rome, Milan and Athens condemning Washington's actions and calling for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty.
In Rome, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched toward the area near the U.S. Embassy, calling on Washington to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Police blocked roads around the embassy to prevent protesters from approaching the building, but demonstrators continued to denounce U.S. actions.
"First of all, we oppose U.S. imperialist aggression. This kind of behavior is shameful. The U.S. is attacking a sovereign country, and as [U.S. President Donald] Trump himself has said, this is for oil interests," said protester Giovanni Barbera.
Saturday's rally marked the second large-scale protest in Rome this month against U.S. military operations in Venezuela, following an earlier one on on Jan 3.
Participants included members of multiple political parties, labor unions and social organizations. The protesters held banners reading "Stop imperialist interference" and "Free Maduro," urging the international community to respect Venezuela's sovereignty and the will of its people, and condemning the U.S. for violating international law.
"We are protesting the way the U.S. handles international politics. Since the events of January 3, we have seen violations of international law, and we are very concerned about how the global situation is developing," said protester Stefano De Angelis.
Organizers said solidarity rallies in support of Venezuela were held in 30 Italian cities on the same day.
Meanwhile, similar protests were also staged in Greece. About 200 people gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Athens, voicing support for Venezuela and opposition to U.S. military actions.
"We oppose U.S. imperialism and its attack on Venezuela. At the same time, the U.S. is also threatening Cuba, Mexico and Greenland. We must stand up against this behavior," said Greek protester Argiro Sirmakezi.
Protesters rally in Italy, Greece against U.S. military operation in Venezuela
