Israeli strikes kill three in Gaza Strip, medics say

Health officials say Israeli strikes have killed at least three Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including two members of the Hamas-run police force; This violence underscores the fragility of the US-brokered ceasefire.

Health officials said one person was killed and two others were injured in the Israeli air strike in the Maghazi refugee camp in the center of the region.

The Israeli army said it posed an immediate threat by shooting down two militants who were conducting “suspicious” activity and approaching forces in the area.

Separately, an Israeli air strike on Sunday killed the head of the criminal police force in Khan Younis, Wessam Abdel-Hadi, and his deputy, according to the Hamas-run interior ministry.

The Israeli military said it shot militants of the elite Hamas force operating in the southern Gaza Strip to “advance upcoming attacks” against Israeli forces.

Reuters had previously reported that Israel had intensified its attacks on Gaza’s Hamas-run police force, which the militant group has used to reestablish rule in areas under its control.

Violence in the Gaza Strip continued despite a ceasefire in October 2025, with Israel carrying out almost daily attacks.

Local medics say at least 850 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while Israel says militants have killed four of its soldiers in the same period.

Israel and Hamas blamed each other for violations of the ceasefire.

The explosion that killed two police officers left only a shattered metal skeleton where their car stood in the al-Amel neighborhood of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

During the funeral ceremony, the white shrouded bodies of the men were carried through the streets on their shoulders, while mourners chanted slogans such as “There is no god but Allah, martyrs love Allah”.

Ali Mousa, one of the mourners, condemned Israel’s killing of members of the police force in the area.

“Although the ceasefire came into force several months ago, the occupation continues to target police officers to create chaos among the people of the same country,” Mousa told Reuters.

“The occupation aims to create chaos and confusion in the Gaza Strip. This is its only goal.” he added.

Gaza health officials say more than 72,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed since the Gaza war began in October 2023.