By SCM REPORTER
GAZA CITY — A DELIBERATE Israeli airstrike on a police vehicle has killed nine officers during the holy month of Ramadan, Palestinian officials have claimed.
The strike, which took place on Sunday afternoon in Gaza’s Central Governorate, reportedly targeted the officers while they were monitoring local markets and maintaining civil order. Among those killed was high-ranking official Colonel Iyad Tawfiq Abu Yusuf, the Director of Intervention and Law Enforcement for the region.
The Fallen Officers
The Palestinian Ministry of Interior released the names of the nine men killed in the blast:
Colonel Iyad Tawfiq Abu Yusuf
1st Sgt Abdul Rahman Munir Al-Amsi
1st Sgt Rami Ibrahim Harb
Sgt Yousef Muhammad Mustafa
Officer Abdullah Hossam Badwan
Officer Wissam Akram Al-Hafi
Officer Fathi Raafat Oweida
Assistant Musab Ziad Al-Durra
Assistant Tawfiq Azmi Al-Khalidi
The Ministry of Interior and National Security issued a blistering statement following the attack, accusing the Israeli occupation of a “heinous crime.”
Officials argued that the targeting of police personnel—who were performing civil duties rather than combat roles—is a direct violation of international law. Under the Geneva Convention, police facilities and personnel are generally categorized as civil protection centers, making them “off-limits” for military targeting.
“The repetition of these crimes by targeting police headquarters and bombing officers represents a war crime and a blatant violation of humanitarian law,” a Ministry spokesperson said.
Despite the heavy losses, the Ministry insisted that security forces would continue to patrol the streets to maintain stability during the festive month.
The strike comes at a time of extreme tension as the conflict enters another month. The Israeli military has frequently targeted what it describes as “Hamas-affiliated security infrastructure,” claiming that the civilian police force is intrinsically linked to the militant group’s grip on the territory.
However, humanitarian groups have warned that the breakdown of local law enforcement has led to chaos in Gaza’s markets, making the role of civil police—like those killed on Sunday—vital for the distribution of aid and the prevention of looting.
The Palestinian Ministry has now renewed its plea for the international community to intervene and halt the targeting of law enforcement personnel.