Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 63,459

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 63,459, with 160,256 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, Israeli attacks on the enclave have killed 88 people and wounded 421 others, according to the statement.

Since Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18 following a brief ceasefire, 11,328 people have been killed and another 48,215 injured, it said.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in a brief statement on Sunday that children in Gaza are not going to school and are being forced, once again, to seek a safe place.

"There is nowhere safe, not enough space, not even enough tents," the statement continued, noting that the intense Israeli military operation in Gaza City is "pushing thousands of people into the unknown."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, was killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip.

Katz made the announcement in a post on the social media platform X, adding that "soon, as the campaign against Gaza intensifies," more Hamas figures would be targeted.

Hamas has not yet responded to the announcement.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 63,459

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with a delegation from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of Portugal led by Hugo Soares, the secretary-general and the parliamentary leader of the party, in Beijing on Friday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Portugal has been continuously deepened.

China is ready to strengthen exchanges between political parties and legislative bodies of the two countries, promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute to the sound and steady development of China-Portugal and China-EU relations, he said.

Li also briefed the delegation on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Soares said that Portugal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries through inter-party channels.

Senior Chinese legislator meets Portugal's PSD delegation