The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 45,514, with 108,189 others injured, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
Israel struck the northwest of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Sunday afternoon, resulting in nine fatalities and at least 15 injuries. Another seven were also killed the same day in Beit Hanoun town of north Gaza, after a local house was attacked by the Israeli forces, according to Palestinian media reports.
At least seven people were killed and several others seriously wounded in an Israeli strike on Al-Wafaa Hospital in central Gaza City on Sunday, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense.
On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces issued a new evacuation order for residents still in the area near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, instructing them to move to Gaza City immediately. The Israeli side claimed that Hamas militants use the area to launch attacks.
Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rises to 45,514
Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rises to 45,514
Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza rises to 45,514
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the winter chill, thousands of people from across the country gathered at Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Wednesday morning to witness the first national flag-raising ceremony of 2025, sharing their dreams in the new year and sincere blessing for the motherland.
The solemn ceremony drew participants from all walks of life, including students, tourists, and overseas Chinese, who braved the cold to watch the Five-Star Red Flag being hoisted against the backdrop of the rising sun.
"This scene is amazing. All people gathering in the square are watching the five-star red flag rising and I feel everyone's love for the motherland. I will carry on my studies with this love. Dreams are far away, but we can get them eventually as long as we chase. In the New Year, I will try my best to keep working towards my goal," said Mak Hio Kuan, a young resident from Macao.
"Throughout the process my eyes were filled with tears. As an overseas Chinese student, I feel very proud to see the strength of my motherland, as a strong motherland is the most powerful backing for us to live safely and smoothly abroad! I hope I'll be able to dedicate myself to the motherland's development," said Guo Fengyang, a student studying in Germany.
The ceremony also inspired young professionals to contribute to national development.
Yang Jingxuan, a research assistant at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, expressed his commitment to advancing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
"Countless laborers, builders and entrepreneurs are fighting for their dreams. As a student of a medical experimental center, I hope to inherit our traditional Chinese medicine along with other traditional culture, and contribute to the medical cause of our motherland," Yang said.
A tourist from the distant Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China said that he made this trip to educate his children.
"I think watching the flag-raising ceremony at the Tian'anmen Square allows the children feel the strength and prosperity of the motherland. Linzhi is very good now, and there are many tourists from across the country. The people there live in harmony, peace and unity. Their life is relatively prosperous," said Yuan Jiabin, a tourist from Xizang.
"This is the third time I've come to see the flag-raising. We are all very excited that our motherland has been so powerful and prosperous. Our country's new energy vehicle (NEV) annual output has exceeded 10 million units in 2024. As a college student majoring in automation, I'm inspired by this and I hope that I can contribute to such an industry in the future," said Hu Yan, a student from Zhengzhou University.
The event particularly resonated with those serving the public. "his is my first time watching a flag-raising ceremony, and I witness how powerful our motherland is. As a firefighter at the grass-roots level, I will work hard to improve my skills and charge forward when people need me most," said Zhang Shenzhou, a firefighter from northwest China's Gansu Province.
"We've just watched the first flag-raising ceremony of 2025 at the Tian'anmen Square. The moment when we sang the national anthem in unison, I was deeply touched and that feeling was beyond words. In the New Year, I wish my dear motherland flourishing and invigorating," said Chen Meihui, a student from the Harbin Institute of Technology.
Flag-raising ceremony kindles patriotic zeal as China ushers in 2025
