Five Palestinian police officers died Saturday when Israeli missiles struck their security post in northern Gaza, according to local police authorities, marking an escalation in attacks against the Hamas-controlled security force.
Gaza’s police directorate reported that two missiles struck the facility in the Tawam area, killing at least five officers and injuring additional personnel. The directorate oversees security operations in Gaza territories that came under Hamas administration after a U.S.-mediated ceasefire agreement in October.
Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the incident.
The role of Hamas’ approximately 10,000 police officers has become a major obstacle in negotiations surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza strategy. While Hamas seeks to incorporate these officers into a future security force outlined in the proposal, Israel opposes including any personnel with Hamas connections.
The diplomatic discussions have reached an impasse due to Hamas’ unwillingness to surrender its weapons and continued Israeli military operations throughout the territory. Health authorities report that more than 880 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire began, while at least four Israeli soldiers have been killed in militant operations during the same timeframe.
