Israel carried out a series of airstrikes overnight in southern Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of key Hamas figures, including the head of the Gaza Strip’s police force, Mahmud Salah, and his deputy, Hussam Shahwan, along with several others. According to Gaza’s civil defense agency, the strikes targeted a humanitarian zone in Khan Yunis, killing at least 11 people, including three children and two women. The attack also led to widespread injuries, with many victims being children.

The Israeli military confirmed that Shahwan was targeted due to his alleged role in planning attacks against Israeli forces. However, the death of Salah, the police chief, was not directly acknowledged by the Israeli military. Local authorities reported severe damage to tents sheltering displaced families in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Yunis.

This strike is part of the ongoing Israeli operation against Hamas, which has continued for over a year following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The violence has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid agencies have warned of the collapse of infrastructure and societal order.

In addition to the southern Gaza strikes, another attack in northern Gaza’s Jabalia killed at least 10 people. These airstrikes come after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s threat to escalate military actions in response to rocket fire from Gaza, highlighting the ongoing tension in the region. The ongoing conflict has led to significant casualties on both sides, with the toll on Gaza civilians mounting steadily.