The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 62,686, with 157,951 others injured since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on Oct 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
Over the past 24 hours alone, Israeli offensives in the enclave have killed 64 people and wounded 278 others, the statement noted.
Since Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18 this year, 10,842 people have been killed and another 45,910 injured, according to the statement.
A statement released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the same day said that one of its brigades had returned to the Jabalia region, near Gaza City, to carry out military operations.
According to the IDF, this move enables it to expand operations across a broader area around Gaza City.
The statement also said that the IDF is strengthening its control over the Jabalia region by removing both above-ground and underground Hamas facilities, further weakening the group's military capabilities.
So far, the IDF said its forces have discovered an underground tunnel, from which they removed armed personnel and infrastructure used to launch attacks against Israeli troops.
The Israeli security cabinet on Aug 8 approved a plan to defeat Hamas and to take over Gaza City, a move that sparked opposition and condemnation both at home and abroad.
Located in northern Gaza, Gaza City is regarded by Israel as a stronghold of Hamas and a location where hostages are being held.
On Aug 20, the Israeli military announced that it had taken control of the area surrounding Gaza City and is preparing to take over the city itself.
The military is planning to launch offensives against the city by mid-September, according to Israeli media outlets.
A statement released by Hamas on Sunday said the group strongly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approval of the plan to take over Gaza City, which came after Hamas had accepted a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators.
Hamas said the decision showed that Israel was deliberately hindering efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The Gaza-based media office said in a statement on the same day that, against the backdrop of a threatened Israeli offensive on Gaza City, more than 2.4 million Palestinians are facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 62,686
Palestine appreciates China's constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Palestinian issue, Ambassador of Palestine to China Jawad Mohammed Qutish Awad said in Beijing on Friday.
When jointly meeting the press with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on Thursday, President Xi Jinping announced China will provide 100 million U.S. dollars of assistance to Palestine to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and support its recovery and reconstruction.
"Following two years of devastating war, over 90 percent of Gaza Strip's housing, infrastructure, hospitals, roads, and universities have been destroyed. China has consistently supported Palestine in various fields such as politics, economy, and development. This generous donation comes as timely aid for the Palestinian government and people," said the ambassador in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).
More than 70,000 Palestinian people have been killed since the conflict in Gaza erupted on Oct 7, 2023, with millions suffering from extreme poverty and catastrophic hunger.
China has reiterated its support for the Palestinian liberation cause on multiple international occasions, firmly believing that the two-state solution remains the only realistic path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli issue.
Through channels including the United Nations, Egypt, and Jordan, China has provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip and extended material and financial support to the Palestinian Authority and other relevant parties. China has also emphasized that it is important to uphold the principle of "the Palestinians governing Palestine" in the post-conflict governance of Gaza.
"We attach great importance to China's support for the two-state solution. Without the establishment of the State of Palestine, regional stability cannot be achieved. Gaza must be an inalienable part of the future Palestinian state. I would also like to reiterate here that the State of Palestine firmly supports the one-China principle," Jawad said.
China, one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine, established the strategic partnership with Palestine in 2023.
After countries including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada recognized the State of Palestine in September this year, the number of countries in the international community recognizing the State of Palestine has reached nearly 160, accounting for over 81 percent of the United Nations member states.
An increasing number of countries are looking to advance a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza through cooperation.
Jawad said that the China-proposed Global Governance Initiative offers the international community a more effective path to resolving the Palestinian issue.
"This initiative aligns with the strategic agreements between Palestine and China, contributing to ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory and establishing the State of Palestine across all Palestinian territory. Without a just resolution to the Palestinian issue, neither the world nor the Middle East can achieve stability. The key to a just resolution lies in the implementation of international law," he said.
Palestine appreciates China's role in promoting Israeli-Palestinian peace process: ambassador
