Israeli Strikes Kill Police Chief and Family in Gaza Despite Ceasefire

Israeli airstrikes have killed at least a dozen people in Gaza over two days, including a senior police commander and a family of three, even as a fragile ceasefire remains in place. The attacks underscore the persistent violence and stalled peace efforts.

Recent strikes

On Tuesday, an Israeli drone struck a police station in Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least seven people, including Col. Mohamad Marwan Salem, head of the local force Source: AP; BBC. The Israeli military said it targeted "terrorists" and claimed four of the slain were Hamas militants Source: AP. On Wednesday, an air attack on an apartment in Deir al-Balah killed Omar Abu Qassem, his wife, and their six-year-old daughter, Habeeba; their son survived injured Source: CNA; Al Jazeera. The military said it struck a Hamas fighter Source: CNA. Separately, Israeli gunfire killed a 10-year-old boy in Rafah Source: BBC.

Ceasefire under strain

Since the October ceasefire, over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry Source: AP. Israel says it responds to militant threats and violations. Talks on the second phase of the truce—which would involve Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal—remain deadlocked Source: CNA.

Analysts see a pattern

Political analysts warn that Israel is systematically targeting civil officials—police, medical workers, academics—to sabotage post-war reconstruction plans and entrench occupation Source: Al Jazeera. "These killings … could systematically derail the US-backed plan for a post-war Gaza," one analyst noted Source: Al Jazeera.