Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip were once again forced to flee their homes amid Israeli attacks in a tragic scene that has repeatedly played out since the latest round of conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out one year ago.
Israel launched intense airstrikes across northern Gaza on Sunday, just one day before the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israeli towns near Gaza in October 2023. Local residents described the intense airstrikes as the heaviest bombardment since the conflict broke out.
The Gaza Civil Defense said in a statement that dozens of people were killed or wounded and trapped under the rubble of homes hit in the Israeli attacks.
The strikes focused on areas east of Jabalia, Tel al-Zaatar, and near the Indonesia Hospital, according to the Civil Defense, which added that its crews were overwhelmed by the number of homes targeted overnight.
After the Israeli attacks, roads leading to the western and southern regions of Gaza City were congested with displaced Palestinians, who packed whatever they could and drove cars or rode donkey carts, with some on bicycles or even fleeing on foot from their once familiar homes. For many, it was not the first time fleeing from air strikes in the past year alone.
"Following the distribution of leaflets by the Israeli military on Sunday morning, we hurried to flee. This is the third time that our entire family was forced to experience displacement. How much longer will this situation persist? It's a catastrophe. All Gazans are fleeing and enduring this hardship. We walked from Jabalia to here, and we have to keep walking. Our car broke down just as we set off, so we have been pushing it all along the way," said a displaced Gaza resident.
However, some residents chose to remain in Gaza City despite evacuation orders as they believe that there are no safe places in Gaza.
"I will not go to southern Gaza. Even if I die in Gaza City, I will die on my own land. People who have fled there have informed us that they are still suffering freezing temperatures in their tents there and are still being bombarded by airstrikes and artillery shelling," said another displaced Palestinian.
The Palestinian death toll in Gaza from the ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 41,870, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
Palestinians displaced again as attacks continue in Northern Gaza
Palestinians displaced again as attacks continue in Northern Gaza
The 17th China International Comic Festival, showcasing over 100 animation, comic and gaming franchises, was held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province from Wednesday to Saturday.
Over 100,000 fans were drawn to the event both online and offline, and more than 1,000 dressed in creative cosplay for the occasion. The festival showcased and sold more than 1,500 types of animation and game-related merchandise, driving consumption to exceed 220 million yuan (about 31.4 million U.S. dollars).
For nostalgic visitors, a highlight of the event was a captivating "sheep village" inspired by the long-running Chinese animated series "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf." The area showcased debut exhibits and interactive games, drawing in fans eager to take photos.
"Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf" revolves around a group of goats living on the Green Grassland and a bumbling wolf who always wants to eat them.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the release of the 'Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf' series. Here, visitors can rediscover many classic elements and even uncover some spoilers," said Cai Ruiqiong, a producer for the series.
The exhibition was also a chance for many up-and-coming animators to expand their fan bases, taking advantage of growing enthusiasm for the medium in China.
China's first 3A game, "Black Myth: Wukong", featured its inaugural themed exhibition -- the "Black Myth: Wukong photo exhibition" -- at the festival. This exhibition showcased over 200 game pages created by players worldwide, with stunning visuals of historic sites and scenic landscapes.
With over 10 million copies sold across all platforms in just three days after its release on Aug. 20 this year, the Chinese action role-playing game inspired by Wu Cheng'en's iconic 16th-century novel, "Journey to the West", stands as the most successful Chinese video game to date.
The festival also displayed a diverse array of original comics and animations rich in Chinese cultural elements, alongside mobile games that reflect traditional Chinese culture, which are gaining popularity among youth.
"Our domestic animation market is gradually experiencing explosive growth, with around 80 percent of our offerings here consisting of local content. We can also see that many young animation artists are now producing works that are rich in literary depth and traditional cultural elements," said Chen Xi, an exhibitor.
Costumed fans delight in animation, gaming at 17th China International Comics Festival
