Hamas' military wing said that Israeli bombardment of Gaza has so far killed about 50 of the at least 224 hostages the militants abducted during its October 7 assault.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials, who have denied previous, similar claims.
The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said Thursday more than 7,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, a figure that could not be independently verified.
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Even greater loss of life could come if Israel launches a ground offensive aimed at crushing Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and survived four previous wars with Israel.
The rising death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In other news, Israeli troops and tanks briefly raided northern Gaza, the military said, engaging with Hamas fighters and targeting anti-tank weapons in order to "prepare the battlefield" before an expected ground invasion.
Video published by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Thursday showed tanks and armoured vehicles, including a bulldozer, moving on a road near a fence in northern Gaza.
The tanks fired artillery, and some destruction could be seen nearby.
IDF spokesperson Peter Lerner said the raid, which he described as large but limited in scope, was "intended to create better terms for ground operations if and when that comes in."
The third Israeli raid since the war began came after more than two weeks of devastating airstrikes that have left thousands dead, and more than 1 million displaced from their homes, in the small, densely-populated territory.
Meanwhile, Arab leaders made a joint plea for a ceasefire to end civilian suffering and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, where Israel has imposed a suffocating siege ever since Hamas' rampage and hostage-taking in southern Israel ignited the war.
Residents are running out of food, water and medicine, and U.N. workers have barely any fuel left to support relief missions.
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