Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 70,925: health authorities

The combined number of deaths and injuries in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 240,000 since the conflict between Hamas and Israel erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza's health authorities on Saturday.

The data showed that over the past 48 hours, 13 bodies were brought to Gaza hospitals -- six newly reported fatalities and seven recovered from the rubble -- bringing the overall death toll to 70,925, with 171,185 people injured.

The authorities said that 401 Palestinians in the enclave have been killed and 1,108 others injured by Israeli attacks since the ceasefire agreement took effect on Oct. 10.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains fragile, even as the immediate threat of famine has eased.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that around 1.6 million people -- more than 75 percent of Gaza's population -- are projected to face extreme levels of acute food insecurity and critical risks of malnutrition.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 70,925: health authorities

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 70,925: health authorities

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 70,925: health authorities

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 70,925: health authorities

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 70,925: health authorities

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China led by chair Engin Eroglu in Beijing on Wednesday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

He said China stands ready to join hands with the EU to address global challenges, promote exchanges and cooperation among legislative bodies, effectively utilize communication mechanisms, and advance the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Eroglu said the EU stands ready to work with China to contribute to the development of EU-China relations.

Senior Chinese legislator meets European Parliament delegation