Seven killed in Israeli strike on Hamas police post in northern Gaza
The incident underscores the fragility of the ceasefire agreement that took effect last October, amid mutual accusations of violations from both sides.
An Israeli air strike on a police post operated by Gaza’s Hamas-run interior ministry in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza has killed at least seven people, including a senior officer. Health and police officials confirmed the death toll, identifying Col Mohammed Marwan Salem, the head of the local police station, among those killed. Witnesses reported that an Israeli drone fired four missiles at the post, which is situated near a busy market.
The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating that the strike targeted "terrorists". The Hamas-run interior ministry condemned the event as a "massacre", highlighting the continued presence of security forces under Hamas administration despite the ongoing truce. This incident marks another escalation in a period characterised by near-daily accusations of ceasefire violations from both Israel and Hamas since the truce took effect last October.
Casualties were also reported in other parts of the territory. In the southern Gaza area of Khan Younis, an air strike killed one man and injured three others, with medics telling Reuters that the Israeli military stated the target was a Hamas operative. Meanwhile, in nearby Rafah, medics reported that a 10-year-old boy, Muataz Abu Shaar, was killed by Israeli gunfire. The Israeli military has not yet commented on this specific incident.
The death toll since the ceasefire began has been significant, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting that at least 1,110 people have been killed by Israeli fire. Conversely, the Israeli military has stated that four of its soldiers have been killed in Palestinian attacks during the same period. These figures illustrate the persistent volatility of the security situation despite the formal cessation of major hostilities.
The current conflict was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza; according to the territory’s health ministry, more than 73,230 people have been killed during this campaign. The recent strikes in Jabalia, Khan Younis, and Rafah occur against this backdrop of prolonged violence and diplomatic tension.
