Rafah, 16 Feb: Three Palestinian police officers were killed on Sunday by Israeli shelling in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, despite a ceasefire agreement.
The officers were deployed to secure the entry of humanitarian aid in the Al-Shawka area, east of Rafah, when they were targeted, according to reports.
Gaza’s health ministry strongly condemned the attack and called on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to halt its targeting of the police force, which is a civilian body responsible for maintaining public security and organizing daily affairs.
Palestinian officials have complained that Israel is failing to abide by the part of the agreement that allows more humanitarian aid to enter.
However, the Israeli military claimed that the attack targeted Palestinian fighters approaching its forces in the area.
A ceasefire has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, pausing Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed 48,239 people and injured 111,676. Besides the Government Media Office has updated its death toll to at least 61,709 people, saying thousands missing under the rubble are now presumed dead.
Inputs From Anadolu Agency