Israeli airstrike targets gaza, killing police Chief and Hamas security head

Gaza (The Uttam Hindu): Gaza's interior authorities confirmed that Mahmoud Salah the director-general of Gaza's police department was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip. Salah along with Hussam Shahwan the head of Hamas' Internal Security in southern Gaza lost their lives while fulfilling their duties in service to the Palestinian people.The Israeli military reported that Shahwan was killed in a drone strike on a humanitarian zone in Khan Younis, where displaced Palestinians have sought refuge. In addition at least 11 Palestinians were killed in an attack on tents in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis.This attack is part of Israel’s ongoing large-scale offensive in Gaza which it launched in retaliation for a Hamas assault on the southern Israeli border on October 7 2023 resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 Israelis and the capture of around 250 hostages. The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli airstrikes has now surpassed 45,000.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a strong warning, stating that Israel would escalate its military operations if Hamas does not agree to a deal for the release of hostages. He further warned that Hamas would face intense military retaliation unless the hostages were freed and Hamas dismantled. While Hamas seeks to prolong the truce Israel maintains the right to resume military action if it perceives a security threat. Another point of contention is Hamas’s demand for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza a request that Israel opposes asserting the necessity of its continued presence to maintain security in the region.