Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens in Gaza as Attacks Continue Despite Ceasefire Efforts- At least a dozen people have been killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza over the past two days, according to local health officials, as violence continues despite an ongoing ceasefire arrangement with Hamas. The latest attacks have intensified concerns over the fragile security situation in the territory and renewed international calls for restraint.
Officials said one of the deadliest incidents occurred in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, where an airstrike hit a police station in the densely populated area. Hospital officials reported that a woman and six police officers were among those killed in the attack.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry identified one of the officers as Col. Mohamad Marwan Salem, a senior police commander who headed the Jabalia police station. The ministry said the police force’s role was focused on maintaining public order and security operations inside Gaza.
The Israeli military said that some of those killed in the Jabalia strike were linked to Hamas. In a statement, the military claimed that four of the police officers killed were Hamas militants, though it did not provide publicly available evidence detailing their alleged involvement in military operations.
The Israeli military has previously stated that police facilities can become legitimate military targets if they are being used to support armed activities or if personnel inside are involved in militant operations. However, it did not specify what activities it believed were taking place at the Jabalia station at the time of the strike.
The status of Gaza’s police forces has been a major point of disagreement throughout the conflict. Hamas maintains both an armed wing and civilian administrative structures, including police and security services overseen by its Interior Ministry. Israel has repeatedly targeted police personnel, arguing that some are connected to Hamas’ military infrastructure, while Palestinian officials say many officers are involved primarily in civilian law enforcement.
Additional strikes were reported in other parts of Gaza. Hospital officials said three members of the same family were killed in central Gaza, while another strike hit a tent camp in Khan Younis in the south, killing at least one person, according to medical authorities.
In the Muwasi area near Rafah, hospital officials also reported that an Israeli military shooting killed a child. Details surrounding the incident were not immediately clear, and the Israeli military did not immediately provide a public statement regarding the reports from central and southern Gaza.
The continued violence has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations and international observers who have warned that repeated attacks risk worsening conditions for civilians already facing severe challenges after months of conflict.
The United Nations human rights office has previously raised concerns about attacks targeting Gaza police personnel, saying that repeated strikes against officers during routine law enforcement activities could indicate that insufficient distinction is being made between civilian police and armed fighters. The office has called for greater adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of civilians.
Israel has maintained that its military operations are aimed at Hamas and other armed groups operating in Gaza, arguing that militants often operate within civilian areas and infrastructure. Palestinian officials and rights groups have accused Israel of using broad definitions of military targets that place civilians at increased risk.
The latest deaths come amid continued uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire. Although the truce was intended to reduce fighting and allow greater humanitarian access, sporadic strikes and military operations have continued, with both sides accusing each other of violations.
Humanitarian agencies have warned that Gaza’s civilian population remains in a critical situation, with damaged infrastructure, limited medical resources and shortages affecting daily life. Aid organizations continue to call for sustained calm to allow relief operations and emergency services to function safely.
The latest strikes highlight the fragile nature of the current ceasefire and the unresolved disputes over military operations, civilian protection and security arrangements in Gaza. As international efforts continue to prevent further escalation, questions remain over whether the current truce can hold or whether renewed fighting could intensify across the territory. 14 Ocean Facts That Will Shock You by 2027 | Maya
