The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip rose to 41,638, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement said another 96,460 people were injured by Israeli attacks.
Over the past 24 hours, 23 people were killed and 101 others wounded in the Israel's military operations in Gaza, according to the statement.
The Palestinian official news agency WAFA said from Monday night to Tuesday, numerous parts of Gaza Strip were hit by Israeli troops, resulting in deaths of at least 35 Palestinians.
Further details uncovered the bombing of a school and a building in northern Gaza City, resulting in nine fatalities. Moreover, the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip was targeted, leading to the loss of 12 lives. In Khan Younis, 14 refugees perished in a bombardment on a refugee camp.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces issued a statement on Tuesday, asserting that a school in Gaza City was targeted with "precision munitions" due to its alleged use by Hamas as a command and control center.
Almost one year has passed since the current round of conflicts started on Oct 7, 2023. At Friday's Security Council meeting on the Gaza situation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Security Council to unite in support of an immediate ceasefire leading to a two-state solution, stressing that it is the only way to end the cycle of tragedy.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 41,638
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 41,638
Various celebrations are being staged across China in anticipation of the fast-approaching New Year's Day and the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, boosting the market for related goods as more revelers get into the festive spirit.
In Beijing, more than 1,000 lanterns themed around fashion and technology are offering a colorful display in the city's Wenyuhe Park, making it one of the largest lantern festivals in the city this year.
In Shanghai, business districts have launched a series of themed decorations, exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities. Local authorities have also distributed consumption coupons, further stimulating consumer spending during the New Year's Day holiday, which falls on Wednesday.
In the nearby city of Hangzhou in the eastern Zhejiang Province, several promotional activities have been introduced to boost consumption. Additionally, business areas and shopping streets have been upgraded to meet the consumer demand for high-quality goods.
Special Spring Festival fairs have also been set up across the country as Chinese people gear up for their largest annual celebration around the Chinese New Year, which lands at the end of January in 2025.
In Huaiyuan County of east China's Anhui Province, a local fair is attracting visitors with a variety of well-known agricultural products. In Zhangzhou City of the coastal Fujian Province, a one-stop feature fair allows both visitors and locals to purchase a wide range of items.
Meanwhile, in northeast China's Jilin Province, local authorities in the city of Ji'an have sought to take advantage of the snowy conditions by integrating winter sports, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a range of snow and ice activities while shopping for Spring Festival goods.
Additionally, flowers are in high demand at many marketplaces across China as more people look to prepare some floral decorations as part of the celebrations.
In Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province, a special flower street featuring Chinese New Year flowers has been set up, where over 15,000 flowers are available, including more than 120 varieties of orchids.
Local flower markets area also in full bloom in various other places, from the northern cities of Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan to Hetian in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, all offering a wide variety of creative and unique flowers, which have been well received by residents.
New Year celebrations help boost market for festive goods
