Bangkok: Schools across parts of Cambodia and Thailand closed on Monday as border clashes between the two countries continued, pushing the death toll to at least 40 and displacing hundreds of thousands of people, according to officials and local media. According to Anadolu Agency, Cambodia's Education Ministry reported that the ongoing fighting along the border has forced the closure of 1,039 schools across six provinces, disrupting education for 9,797 teachers and 242,881 students. Cambodia's Interior Ministry noted an increase in civilian casualties, with two more civilians killed, raising the total number of civilian deaths in the country to 15, alongside 73 injuries. The Cambodian Interior Ministry also stated that Thai F-16 fighter jets conducted airstrikes within Cambodian territory, as reported by state-run Agence Kampuchea Presse. In response, Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nikorndej Balankura, announced that Bangkok has formally appealed to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Huma n Rights after nine Thai civilians were killed. Additionally, more than 600 schools and hospitals have been closed in Thailand, according to Thai Enquirer, which also reported that the Thai Air Force launched F-16 strikes on Cambodian military positions. China has expressed concern over the rising tensions, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stating that Beijing is closely monitoring the developments. Guo shared condolences for the casualties and emphasized the importance of amity between the neighboring countries. He urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and work towards achieving a ceasefire to protect civilians and maintain stability in the border areas. Officials and local media have reported that approximately 700,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the frontier since the clashes intensified last week. In total, 15 civilians have been killed in Cambodia, while Thailand has reported 16 military fatalities and nine civilian deaths. Despite US President Donald Trump's anno uncement on Friday that leaders of Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt renewed fighting, the clashes have persisted. The two countries had previously signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but the agreement was suspended following a landmine explosion that seriously injured Thai soldiers in a border province. Thai authorities have stated that approximately 18 Cambodian soldiers remain in Thai custody following incidents over the past five months. The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has a long history of sparking violence, including clashes in July that resulted in at least 48 deaths.