The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip is approaching 40,000, the health authorities in the besieged enclave said on Wednesday.
During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 36 people and wounded 54 others, bringing the total death to 39,965 and injuries to 92,294 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out in October last year, according to a statement of the health authorities.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Tuesday that the Israeli army has killed about 100 Palestinian militants and destroyed a large number of weapons and infrastructure used by hundreds of Palestinian armed groups during operations in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah over the past several days.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah), said on Tuesday that the organization used heavy mortar shells to bomb the Israeli army command center and vehicles in the central Gaza Strip.
On the same day, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), said that its militants attacked the Israeli city of Tel Aviv and surrounding areas with two M90 missiles. Israeli media reported explosions were heard in the vicinity of Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon, but no air defense alarm was sounded.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday said that the IDF intelligence forces are closely monitoring the movements of Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian forces, and the IDF must be prepared for "all possibilities," so as to launch attacks anywhere, and the Israeli people need to remain vigilant at all times and comply with official instructions.
On Tuesday evening, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari posted on his social media platform, asking residents of some neighborhoods in southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis to begin evacuating as the Israeli military plans to launch military operations in these areas in response to the continuous rocket attacks by Palestinian armed groups.
Amidst the increasing tensions, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday that the U.S. Secretary of State Blinken had approved the sale of more than 20 billion U.S. dollars worth of military equipment to Israel.
The U.S. military had previously sent F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East. The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also ordered the deployment of the USS Georgia , a nuclear-powered submarine armed with cruise missiles, to the Middle East, and ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to accelerate to the area.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza nears 40,000 as conflict continues
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
