Palestinian President Calls on UN and World Powers to Pressure Israel to Open Gaza Crossings

(Patria) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said today that it is the responsibility of the United Nations Security Council and the international community to pressure Israel to open all land crossings into the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported.

"The responsibility of the Security Council and all parties of the international community remains great in exerting pressure on Israel to open all land crossings into the Gaza Strip and hand them over to the new government to allow all aid and medical supplies to enter," Abbas said during a conference.

Death toll in Gaza reaches 37,164

Separately, the Gaza Health Ministry said today that at least 37,164 people have been killed in the territory during more than eight months of war since the start of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

The death toll includes at least 40 fatalities in the last 24 hours, the ministry said in a statement, adding that 84,832 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip, AFP reported.