Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 64,964

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to 64,964 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on October 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.

The conflict has also left 165,312 others injured, according to the statement.

Over the past 24 hours, Israel's military operations in Gaza killed 59 people and injured 386, said the statement.

Israel's military said on Tuesday it launched a "large-scale ground operation" in Gaza City overnight, as local officials reported heavy strikes in the enclave's biggest urban center that left dozens dead or missing.

At least 53 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since dawn, most of them in Gaza City, said WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency.

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.