Israel destroys new Gaza desalination plant

A series of separate Israeli strikes destroyed a newly operational desalination plant in Gaza City while hitting several neighborhoods and two mosques across Gaza, leaving at least nine Palestinians, including one child, dead.

Abruptly on Monday, Israeli warplanes began military actions in the Gaza Strip starting with a desalination plant in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of northern Gaza City.

The plant was destroyed just five days after being put into operation, serving more than 50,000 Palestinians in the the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.

It was built two months ago after the area was cleaned out of some garbage and rubble, as suggested by the ones who operate the plant. "We opened the plant just a few days ago to help people and ease their suffering, so they could at least have access to water, the most basic necessity of life. But unfortunately, it was bombed as Israeli claims that it was being used as a weapons storage facility," said Ahmed Hussein, a displaced Palestinian.

"How long will this war continue? They are lying to us. We are exhausted and cannot take it anymore. Look, this is my home. It was completely destroyed after we had already been displaced several times to the south. We came back hoping to settle here, but there is no safety. Where are we supposed to go?" said Jihan Al-Namnam, another displaced Palestinian.

"Fifteen families are affected here, with more than 60 people taking shelter in this area. Our home over there had already been destroyed, and I was temporarily living on the rubble of the house while waiting to get a tent. Now, we have lost everything," said Karam Al-Namnam, also a displaced Palestinian.

The destruction of the water facility took place amid a wave of fresh Israeli air raids targeting multiple sites across the Gaza Strip, including the Shati refugee camp, the town of Deir al-Balah and Al-Bureij, where two mosques -- one of them historic -- were hit.

The strikes came abruptly at a time when diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate tensions and advance the second phase of a cease-fire deal.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Israeli military said it had targeted several weapons depots in the Gaza Strip.

Israel destroys new Gaza desalination plant

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized advancing agricultural modernization and ensuring food security when making investigation in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Monday to Wednesday.

In Heilongjiang Province, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited a state farm and observed the growth of soybean, corn, and rice crops. He stressed that autumn grain accounts for the bulk of annual output, calling for stepped-up farmland management and policy support to ensure grain harvest.

Visiting an agricultural science park and a rice research institute, Li asked about seed breeding innovation and black soil conservation, highlighting the importance of science and technology in pursuing higher yields and calling for further efforts in seed breeding, advanced machinery, and smart farming.

At a major water conservancy project, Li reviewed construction progress, urging faster completion to improve flood control, irrigation, and ecological benefits while supporting stable, high-yield harvests.

In Jilin Province, Li visited an agricultural cooperative and learned about its operations. He called for developing diverse forms of appropriately scaled agricultural operations and improving services for agriculture to help smallholders connect with modern agriculture.

At a grain processing plant, Li inspected a corn oil production line and called for boosting intensive processing of agricultural products to extend industrial chains and raise value.

Li also visited the Chagan Lake and learned about the ecological fisheries. He called for actively developing modern eco-aquaculture, promoting integrated development of the farming, forestry, livestock, and fishing industries as well as the development of eco-tourism.

Chinese premier stresses agricultural modernization, food security