Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on May 17, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,303, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement on Friday. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

GAZA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,303, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement on Friday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 31 Palestinians and wounded 56 others, bringing the total death toll to 35,303 and injuries to 79,261 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out last October.

The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of rescue crews.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said in a post on its X account Friday that over 630,000 people have been forced to flee Rafah since the Israeli military started its offensive on the city on May 6.

"Many have sought refuge in Deir al-Balah, which is now unbearably overcrowded with dire conditions," said the UNRWA.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. 

Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on May 17, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,303, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement on Friday. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on May 17, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,303, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement on Friday. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on May 17, 2024. The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 35,303, health authorities in the Palestinian enclave said in a press statement on Friday. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)