Gaza, January 27 (QNA) - The number of people killed in Israeli occupation's military offensive on the Gaza Strip has risen to 71,662, with at least 171,428 others injured since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, according to Gaza's health ministry.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry said hospitals across the territory had received two bodies and 20 wounded people over the past 24 hours. It added that many victims were still believed to be trapped under rubble or lying in roads, with ambulance and rescue teams unable to reach them.

The ministry said that since a ceasefire came into effect in October, at least 488 people have been killed and 1,350 injured. It also reported that 714 bodies had been recovered during that period.

Officials said a child had died from severe cold, bringing the number of children who have died from exposure since the start of winter to 11.

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israeli occupation came into force in October, following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the return of displaced residents to the north of the territory.

The truce forms part of the first phase of a broader initiative announced by US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war in Gaza. (QNA)