The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said on Saturday at least 21,672 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since war with Israel erupted on October 7.

A ministry statement said 165 Gazans were killed over the past 24 hours, while 56,165 others have been wounded in the fighting.

The majority of casualties are civilians and 312 healthcare workers are among the dead, it added.

Israeli forces have rounded up thousands of Gazans during their ground offensive, with 99 healthcare workers still among the detainees, according to the ministry.

Health officials reported detainees have been subjected to “cruel physical and psychological torture, starvation, thirst, sleep deprivation, and continuous interrogation in extreme cold”.

The Israeli military last week rejected allegations of torture made by former detainees and a medic.

Gaza’s health ministry appealed on Saturday to the international community for more support, including greater assistance in evacuating more patients.