Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Israeli Offensive Continues in Crowded Southern Gaza, Death Toll Rises Despite Evacuation Orders
The Israeli offensive in the crowded southern Gaza Strip has intensified, resulting in a higher death toll despite evacuation orders. The United States and other countries have called on Israel to do more to protect civilians, but the prospect of further cease-fires appears bleak.
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 200 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting resumed on Friday. Several residential buildings were hit, engulfing neighborhoods in smoke. The overall death toll in Gaza since the start of the war in October has surpassed 15,200, with 70% of the dead being women and children. More than 40,000 people have been wounded.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has engaged in diplomatic talks with Arab leaders in Dubai, focusing on shaping the outlook for a post-conflict Gaza. She called on Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians from the devastating bombardment. Harris met with leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar to discuss the situation.
In another development, 50 oil companies representing nearly half of global production have pledged to reach near-zero methane emissions and end routine flaring in their operations by 2030. Environmental groups, however, have called this pledge a “smokescreen.” Methane emissions contribute significantly to global warming, and reducing them could help slow temperature rise.
Furthermore, deepfake nudes have become a growing concern, with teenage girls being victimized. Families are pushing for better protections for victims whose images are manipulated using AI models. More than 143,000 new deepfake videos were posted online this year, surpassing every other year combined. Advocates are calling for federal regulation to provide uniform protections and send a strong message to perpetrators.
In the political sphere, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis completed his campaign promise to visit each of Iowa’s 99 counties. However, former President Donald Trump, who remains far ahead of DeSantis, mocked his campaign at a rally. DeSantis is facing challenges in Iowa, where he is focused on winning the caucuses but has not cut into Trump’s lead.
Lastly, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor witnessed a historic moment when she saw three women in black robes among the nine justices in 2010. O’Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court, lived to see four women serve at the same time. This marked a significant milestone in her journey, as she struggled to find legal employment in the 1950s and paved the way for other women on the court.