An Israeli airstrike on Thursday morning killed Hamas' police chief in Gaza's humanitarian zone, as fighting in the enclave continues and ceasefire negotiations appear to have stalled once again.
Palestinian sources said the strike killed 10 people, including several children, as well as the commander of Hamas’ police force, Mahmoud Salah, and Hussam Shahwan, another high-ranking police officer.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed the killing of Shahwan, who served as head of Hamas' internal security in the southern part of the strip.
"The internal security mechanism of the terrorist organization Hamas has carried out violent investigations against the residents of the Gaza Strip, while seriously infringing on human rights and oppressing the organization's opponents," the IDF stated.
"The terrorist Shahwan was entrusted with creating an intelligence image aimed against the activities of our forces in the Gaza Strip, together with other bodies of the military arm of the terrorist organization Hamas."
During a visit to the town following the attack, which caused no injuries or damage, Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to escalate airstrikes and military operations in Gaza unless Hamas agrees to release the hostages.
Israel will deal Hamas “blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time,” he said.
“The IDF will intensify its activities against the terrorist nests in Gaza until the release of the hostages and the elimination of Hamas,” Katz declared, calling “on Gaza’s residents to rise up against the murderous Hamas group, which also uses you as human shields, and to bring about the release of the hostages, to prevent suffering and end the war.”
The defense minister added that Israel was prepared for “far-reaching compromises” to reach a hostage deal.
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