Israel’s Latest Airstrike on Gaza Kills Hamas Police Chief and Civilians Amid Rising Humanitarian Crisis

An Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people, including the chief of Gaza’s Hamas-run police force and his deputy.

The attack, which occurred overnight in the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, also killed nine other individuals, including three children and two women, according to medics.

The targeted police chief, Mahmoud Salah, and his deputy, Hussam Shahwan, were reportedly fulfilling their “humanitarian and national duty” when the strike hit their shelter. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry condemned the attack, describing it as an “assassination” of two public servants. Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed it targeted Shahwan, whom they accused of assisting Hamas’s military operations.

Israel’s military has defended the strike, claiming that Shahwan was involved in planning attacks against Israeli forces. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) further justified their actions by stating that the police force had been complicit in conducting human rights violations and suppressing dissent in Gaza. The IDF also emphasized the steps it took to minimize civilian casualties prior to the attack.

However, this explanation has drawn criticism from Palestinians, who have highlighted the broader impact of Israel’s continuous strikes on Gaza. The explosion that killed Shahwan and others occurred in a makeshift camp designed to shelter displaced families. The violence has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where basic resources are increasingly scarce.

Local witnesses described the attack as devastating. Among the casualties were three young brothers, aged 7, 11, and 13, who were killed while sleeping in their family’s tent. Their father, Walid al-Bardawil, described the heartbreaking moment, saying that he called for his sons after the explosion, but they never responded. Videos shared on social media showed their bloodied mattresses, further illustrating the gruesome reality for many families in Gaza.

While the IDF declared the area a “humanitarian zone” for displaced Palestinians, the violence has continued unabated, with strikes causing widespread destruction and further loss of life. Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza have killed more than 45,000 people since the conflict began in October 2023, a figure that continues to rise as the war drags on. The ongoing assaults, coupled with extreme weather conditions, have left many survivors in dire conditions, with flooded tents and a shortage of vital supplies.

The international community has increasingly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, particularly as conditions worsen for civilians. Despite these concerns, Israel maintains that its operations are necessary for the protection of its citizens and to target Hamas operatives. However, with increasing civilian deaths and widespread devastation, the call for a ceasefire grows louder.

Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations and the Red Cross, continue to urge Israel to allow safe passage for aid to Gaza, highlighting the severe suffering, especially among the most vulnerable populations—children and the elderly. The rising toll of civilian casualties and the destruction of homes and infrastructure only underline the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which Israel’s military campaign has deepened.

With input from BBC and Al Jazeera.