Israeli Airstrikes Kill Gaza Police Chief and 67 Others

Israel confirmed the death of the deputy police chief, labeling him as the leader of Hamas’ security forces in southern Gaza. The attack occurred in the Al-Mawasi district, a designated humanitarian zone meant to protect civilians amidst the ongoing 14-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.

The Hamas-run Gaza interior ministry confirmed the deaths of Mahmoud Salah, the director general of Gaza's police, and his aide, Hussam Shahwan, who were reportedly visiting the camp to check on displaced residents. The ministry condemned the attack, accusing Israel of deepening the suffering of Gaza’s civilians. "By committing the crime of assassinating the director general of police in the Gaza Strip, the occupation is insisting on spreading chaos and furthering the human suffering of citizens," the statement said.

The Israeli military, however, stated that the strike was based on intelligence regarding Shahwan's role in Hamas’ security operations in southern Gaza. It did not acknowledge the death of Salah. The Israeli military further claimed that the operation targeted Hamas militants located within a command and control center, which it said was embedded inside the Khan Younis municipality building in the Humanitarian Area.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), expressed concern, writing on social media: “As the year begins, we got ... another reminder that there is no humanitarian zone let alone a safe zone in Gaza.” Lazzarini added, “Every day without a ceasefire will bring more tragedy.”

The airstrikes on Thursday also led to at least 57 additional deaths, including six at the Gaza Interior Ministry headquarters in Khan Younis, as well as casualties in Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp, the Shati (Beach) camp, Maghazi camp, and Gaza City.

In retaliation, Hamas' ally, Islamic Jihad, launched rockets into southern Israel, including a strike on the kibbutz of Holit near the Gaza border. The Israeli military intercepted one rocket before it could cause damage.

With the latest fatalities, the death toll in Gaza since the conflict's outbreak in October 2023 now exceeds 45,500, according to Gaza's health ministry. Much of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and large parts of the densely populated coastal region are now in ruins.

The war began after Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 more, who were taken hostage into Gaza, according to Israeli authorities.