Israel Assassinates Gaza Police Chief as Attacks on Civilians Continue

The General Directorate of Police in Gaza condemned the assassination. It described the attack as a war crime and part of Israel’s ongoing genocide campaign against Palestinians. The statement said the police will continue serving civilians despite repeated Israeli strikes on its leadership.

“This targeting will not stop us from doing our duty,” the police said. “We stand by our people in this war of extermination.”

The statement urged the international community to take urgent action. It called on legal and humanitarian organizations to stop Israel from bombing civil protection forces. Gaza’s police, the statement noted, is a civilian institution protected under international law.

Saturday’s strike came amid Israel’s 585th day of genocide in Gaza. Within 48 hours, Israeli bombs killed 250 Palestinians. Dozens remain missing under the rubble. Many others are critically wounded.

Israeli forces bombed homes and tents sheltering displaced families in multiple areas. Civil defense teams struggle to respond. More than 85% of their equipment has been destroyed since the start of the genocide.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza’s civil defense, said many civilians die under the rubble before rescuers can reach them. He also reported that Israeli forces abducted displaced people from shelters in northern Gaza on Friday night.

The genocide, backed by the U.S., has devastated Gaza since October 7, 2023. Israel has killed or wounded over 173,000 Palestinians. Most of the victims are women and children. Thousands remain unaccounted for.