Five Palestinians died and at least 16 others sustained injuries when an Israeli airstrike targeted a police station operated by Hamas in Gaza’s southern region on Sunday, according to health officials. The attack coincided with the start of renewed diplomatic efforts in Egypt aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
Medical personnel did not specify how many of those killed or wounded were police officers. The strike targeted a police facility located next to a large camp housing displaced families in Khan Younis in the southern part of the territory. Israeli military officials had not provided immediate comment regarding the incident.
Over recent months, Israel has intensified its operations against police facilities and officers, resulting in dozens of deaths among police personnel, Hamas security officials reported.
Large-scale combat operations have been suspended since October following a ceasefire that ended two years of warfare, though negotiators have yet to finalize a comprehensive U.S.-supported plan calling for Israeli military withdrawal, Hamas disarmament, and Gaza reconstruction.
Israeli forces continue to maintain control over more than half of Gaza’s territory, having forced residents to evacuate and demolished remaining structures. Nearly all of the territory’s 2 million residents now reside in a narrow coastal area, primarily in temporary shelters or damaged structures, under Hamas administration.
The status of Hamas’ approximately 10,000 police officers has become a contentious issue in discussions about advancing U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. Hamas seeks to incorporate them into a new police force, while Israel opposes any role for Hamas-affiliated personnel.
Egypt initiated a fresh round of ceasefire discussions with Hamas leadership and other Palestinian faction representatives, according to Hamas sources and others familiar with the negotiations. The talks are anticipated to continue for several days.
Both Israel and Hamas have repeatedly claimed the other side has broken the truce agreement. Israeli military actions in Gaza have resulted in more than 950 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire began, while Palestinian militant operations have killed four Israeli soldiers.
The previous year’s agreement created a Board of Peace under Trump’s leadership to supervise a gradual ceasefire implementation, which received approval from the United Nations Security Council.
Nevertheless, the most challenging disagreements, including Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and Gaza’s governmental structure, were deferred to later phases. Board of Peace negotiators have been engaging both parties regarding the disarmament matter.
Hamas informed representatives from the Board and mediating countries Egypt, Qatar and Turkey that stopping Israeli attacks in Gaza was crucial for any advancement, according to group sources and officials familiar with the discussions.
Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, stated on Sunday the organization remained receptive to proposals that would end Israeli attacks in Gaza and establish common ground on second-phase issues of the Trump plan. However, he argued the Board of Peace should cease being “biased” towards Israel.
Approximately 73,000 people in Gaza have died since the conflict began, with most being civilians, Gaza health authorities reported.
Israel initiated its military campaign after Hamas-led militants crossed the border, killing 1,200 people and capturing 251 Israeli and foreign hostages on October 7, 2023.
