Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 67,913

The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip stands at 67,913, with 170,134 others injured since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on October 7, 2023, Gaza's health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.

Israel said on the same day its forces opened fire on Palestinians who approached troops in the northern Gaza Strip, while health officials in the enclave said at least six people were killed.

The Israeli military said in a statement that several "suspects" were spotted crossing the "yellow line," which marks Israeli-controlled areas under the ceasefire deal, and approaching troops, in what it said was "a violation of the agreement."

The ceasefire, which took effect on Friday, followed days of intensive negotiations in Egypt as part of broader understandings that include a prisoner exchange and arrangements to reopen border crossings and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Under the agreement, the Israeli army would halt fighting and partially withdraw from the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Hamas would release all remaining detainees in exchange for Israel freeing more than 2,000 Palestinian detainees.

"Attempts were made to distance the suspects. The suspects did not comply and continued approaching the troops, who opened fire to remove the threat," the military said.

Gaza's health authorities said at least six Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in two separate incidents. Five of them were killed in Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighborhood. Eyewitnesses and residents said the group had been inspecting their homes after the ceasefire when an Israeli drone fired a missile.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called the killings "a violation of the ceasefire agreement." In a statement, he called on "the various parties to monitor the occupation's behavior and not allow it to evade its commitments before the mediators regarding ending the war."

Meanwhile, according to Gaza Civil Defense, more than 250 bodies have been recovered since the ceasefire took effect, with some retrieved from the streets.

The defense teams reported severe difficulties in reaching many areas due to "a significant shortage" of heavy equipment. More than 10,000 people are believed to remain trapped beneath the debris left by over two years of relentless Israeli bombardment.

According to the Civil Defense, remnants of war and unexploded ordnance remain scattered across the enclave, posing an ongoing threat to civilians.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 67,913

Cities across China are decorating landmark sites with national flags and floral displays as National Day is around the corner.

Yuzhong District of southwest China's Chongqing City is displaying over 2,000 flags alongside carefully arranged floral landscapes covering main roads, commercial hubs, and bridges. In Shexian County of east China's Anhui Province, red flags are fluttering amid the Huizhou Ancient City's floral greenery.

At the Wenshan Dongshan Park in southwest China's Yunnan Province, citizens unfurled a giant 24-by-16 meter national flag, singing vibrant songs to express their heartfelt wishes. Cities such as Chengdu in southwest China, Taiyuan in north China, and Yichang in central China are also showcasing the five-star flag to usher in the holiday.

Flower displays bloom throughout streets and parks, with cities of Fuzhou in the east and Daqing in the northeast hosting themed floral exhibitions that brighten public spaces. Markets bustle with activity as fresh produce flows steadily. In Zhongmu, Henan Province in central China, trucks loaded with pomegranate, honey tangerines and kiwi line up early to meet demand. In Urumqi City of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, flower markets bloom with over a thousand varieties meeting diverse consumer preferences.

Ahead of the holiday, Hong Kong's streets have been adorned with bright national and special administrative region (SAR)'s flags alongside large National Day posters. Community groups are holding cultural activities featuring traditional crafts to celebrate the 77th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

In Macao, national flags wave at border checkpoints, streets, parks and squares, paired with celebratory banners creating a lively National Day atmosphere.

Cities across China adorned for National Day celebrations