An Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian police officers on Sunday east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, which condemned the strike as a violation of the ceasefire that had been in effect since January 19.
Palestinian officials also accused Israel of breaching the truce by blocking the entry of equipment intended to clear rubble and build shelters for displaced people. They added that patients needing medical treatment in Egypt were being stopped from leaving Gaza.
The Interior Ministry said the three officers had been securing aid truck entry into Gaza. It called for international intervention to stop Israeli forces from targeting the police, describing them as a civil entity.
Israel’s military stated the strike had targeted armed individuals approaching Israeli forces. They advised Gaza residents to follow military instructions and avoid approaching Israeli troops.
In Gaza, health officials claimed that Israel had prevented the departure of Palestinians needing hospital treatment in Egypt by blocking the Rafah border crossing.
Furthermore, Salama Marouf from the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said Israel was obstructing the entry of mobile homes and heavy machinery intended to provide shelter and clear debris, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Israel denied these allegations, claiming it had allowed the entry of shelter materials.
On Monday, Hamas threatened to suspend the release of hostages unless Israel complied with the humanitarian terms, but later resumed the releases after assurances from mediators that the necessary materials would be allowed in.
