At least 40 people were killed and 60 others were injured in an Israeli air-strike on a tent camp at Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis of the southern Gaza Strip before dawn on Tuesday.
The air-strike ripped a huge crater, set tents ablaze and buried Palestinian families alive under sand, according to Palestinian officials.
The Hamas-run Gaza government media office put the number of fatalities from this air-strike at more than 40. It said that at least 60 others were wounded in the strikes and many remained missing.
"We were in the tent, when it was between 01:00 and 02:00. A warplane came and fired the first missile, leaving a huge explosion. The tent started shaking and debris was flying everywhere. We stayed where we were for about 15 to 30 minutes before the rescue team arrived. My wife and I hunched over to keep the tent from collapsing until after five or six more missiles were fired and rescue workers arrived. We were evacuated from the tent, only to find our neighbors all dead with their arms and heads blown off," said Firas, a homeless man. Al-Mawasi is a vast camp on sandy soil where the Israeli military has told hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to shelter since ordering them out of their homes.
"We fled Rafah and they (Israeli troops) told us to go to Al-Mawasi area, saying it was a safe place. They even stressed that we should not go anywhere else but Al-Mawasi because it was safe. So we came here. But we find it is not safe here. There is no safe place in Gaza, and we don't know where to go," said Mohammed Abu Labda, another homeless person.
Israel strikes Gaza tent camp, leaving at least 40 dead
Israel strikes Gaza tent camp, leaving at least 40 dead
Various activities were held worldwide to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Jan 29 this year.
Recently, the Chinese Consulate General in Niigata of Japan, in collaboration with the Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater, delivered a spectacular visual feast for the overseas Chinese and Japanese audiences in Sendai.
The performance, featuring the elements of Dunhuang culture and the history and culture of the Tang Dynasty, attracted about 2,000 spectators. Many Japanese people praised the colorful Chinese culture and expressed their hope to go to China to see with their own eyes and understand Chinese culture and traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival.
"It's the first time I've seen such a performance. It's so gorgeous. I'm really touched. This Spring Festival event is also an opportunity for Japan and China to further develop friendly relations. If there is any chance for a performance like this in the future, I would like to come and watch it. I also really want to travel to China now," said a Japanese audience member.
"Happy to know that cultural heritage like the Spring Festival was included on the Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage, I think it's great to be able to celebrate such a festival in Japan. I really hope everyone can take a look and learn about the Spring Festival," said another audience member.
"We want to invite performers from Gansu Provincial Song and Dance Theater to present Dunhuang-themed music and dance which is full of Silk Road cultural elements. This will allow local people to see the mutual learning between Chinese and Japanese civilizations," said Cui Weilei, Consul-General of China in Niigata.
Budapest's Chinatown was alive with energy on Saturday as the streets were filled with music, dance, and the aroma of traditional Chinese delicacies during a two-day Spring Festival celebration.
The "Happy Chinese New Year" Temple Fair brought together numerous visitors and performers to usher in the upcoming Year of the Snake. They enjoyed the magnificent dragon and lion dances, ethnic performances, sugar-figure blowing, calligraphy demonstrations, and the unique experience of wearing traditional attire Hanfu.
"We come here because we have a deep appreciation for Chinese culture and Chinese traditions, and a special interest in Chinese music. I think the most important part of Chinese culture is Chinese food because the best way to bring people from all over the world together is to sit around a table and eat together," said a resident in Budapest.
Colorful celebrations and Spring Festival receptions were also held at many Chinese embassies and consulates around the world.
By showcasing Spring Festival customs and intangible cultural heritage, these events allowed local communities to experience the festive vibes of the Spring Festival up close.
In Dubai, over 1,000 performers and artists from around the world came together to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern art through a rich variety of performances, drawing a large number of audience. The airing of the Spring Festival Gala promotional video by China Media Group also became a highlight of the evening.
A reception was held Wednesday evening in Cairo by the Chinese embassy in Egypt to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.
Around 600 attendees including Zhang Tao, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy, Ahmed Shaheen, Egyptian assistant foreign minister for Asia-Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand affairs, representatives of the Egyptian government and people from all walks of life were gathered.
"On the occasion of the coming of the Spring Festival, I would like to send my sincerest wishes to dear Chinese friends," said Shaheen in a speech.
Celebrations ring in Chinese New Year worldwide