Gaza death toll crosses 31,980 as Israel-Hamas war drags on

The latest toll includes at least 65 deaths in the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Thursday that at least 31,988 people have been killed in the territory during more than five months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing after Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip (AFP)

The latest toll includes at least 65 deaths in the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 74,188 people have been wounded in Gaza since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7.