The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) member countries launched a cross-border transport trial operation on Saturday in southwest China's Yunnan Province, further promoting connectivity and cooperation in the region. On Saturday afternoon, seven trucks and buses departed from Kunming Free Trade Zone, embarking on a journey that would take them through Laos and Thailand before reaching their final destination of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The total distance of the journey is about 2,500 kilometers.
The trial run is part of the 'Early Harvest' implementation of the Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) in GMS, which allows vehicles with the necessary permits to make multiple trips each year between China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
GMS countries launch trial run to promote transport connectivity
The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 37,834, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday.
During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military operations in the Palestinian enclave killed 40 people and left 224 others wounded, bringing the total death toll to 37,834 and injuries to 86,858 since the latest round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in early October last year.
The United States has continued to supply Israel with a huge amount of weapons and ammunition despite the high casualty numbers and outcry of the international community.
Two American officials said that since Oct 7, 2023, the U.S. has transferred to Israel at least 14,000 MK-84 bombs weighing about 908 kg, 6,500 bombs weighing about 225 kg, 3,000 guided air-to-surface "Hellfire" missiles, 1,000 bunker-penetrating bombs, 2,600 bunker-penetrating smart bombs that are dropped from the air and additional ammunition.
A UN report has pointed out that the large-scale civilian deaths caused by Israeli military operations in Gaza may constitute war crimes.
On June 19, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a report that Israeli forces were suspected of using heavy bombs in a series of attacks on the Gaza Strip that resulted in a large number of civilian deaths and widespread destruction of civilian targets. This may have violated the laws of war multiple times.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant ended his three-day visit to the United States on Wednesday, and he briefed reporters that progress had been made on "a number of issues" during the trip, including the U.S. arms supply to Israel.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly accused the U.S. government of "withholding" weapons and ammunition needed by the Israeli army, dragging down its military operations in Gaza.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 37,834: health authorities
