An Israeli airstrike on Sunday killed three Palestinian police officers east of Rafah in southern Gaza, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry reported, calling it a violation of the fragile ceasefire that began on January 19.
Palestinian officials accused Israel of breaching truce terms by preventing the entry of equipment needed to clear rubble and blocking shelters for displaced residents. They also claimed patients were being denied permission to travel to Egypt for medical treatment.
According to the Interior Ministry, the slain police officers had been deployed to secure the arrival of aid trucks into Gaza.
“The ministry strongly condemns this crime and urges mediators and the international community to pressure the occupation to stop targeting the police force, which is a civilian institution,” the ministry stated.
The Israeli military, however, said the strike was aimed at armed individuals approaching Israeli forces and confirmed that “hits were identified.” It advised Gaza residents to follow army instructions and avoid Israeli troops in the area.
A Gaza health ministry official, speaking anonymously, stated that Israel was blocking the departure of dozens of patients and wounded individuals who were scheduled for treatment in Egypt. Israel has not responded to these claims.
Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, said Israel was also preventing the entry of mobile homes for displaced people and heavy machinery for clearing debris and reopening roads.
“This refusal exposes the real obstruction to the (ceasefire) agreement, requiring intervention from the guarantor mediators to ensure the occupation fulfills its commitments,” Marouf said.
Israel has rejected Hamas’ accusations, asserting that it has facilitated the entry of shelter materials.
On Monday, Hamas threatened to halt the release of hostages unless Israel complied with humanitarian terms, including allowing mobile homes and heavy machinery into Gaza. However, it later proceeded with the release on Saturday, citing assurances from Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt that the materials would be delivered.
