The Health Ministry of Hamas, which has been in control of the Gaza Strip since 2007, stated that 20,424 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October.

While 166 of them lost their lives in the last 24 hours, 54,036 people were injured according to the new balance sheet.

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was paying a "very heavy price for the war" after 14 soldiers were killed in clashes in the Gaza Strip since Friday.

"We are paying a very heavy price for the war, but we have no choice but to continue fighting," Netanyahu said at the opening of a government meeting, adding that "the war will be long."

According to the latest balance sheet released by the army, 153 soldiers have been killed in the Palestinian territories since ground operations began on 27 October.