Jerusalem [Israel], February 17: Three Hamas police officers have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said on Sunday.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that a civilian was also injured when an Israeli drone fired on a group in the east of Rafah city in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian group Hamas stated that the deceased were police officers for the organization who had been securing humanitarian aid deliveries. They claimed that this was a "serious violation" by Israel of the ceasefire agreement.
The Interior Ministry said it was three policemen who were killed after they were deployed to the area to secure the entry of aid trucks into Gaza.
"The ministry . condemns this crime and calls upon the mediators and the international community to compel the occupation to stop targeting the police force, which is a civil apparatus," it said in a statement.
Israel's military said the strike targeted several armed individuals moving towards Israeli forces deployed nearby and "hits were identified".
The Israeli military reported that several armed individuals approached Israeli troops in the southern Gaza Strip. Subsequently, they were attacked by the air force, and "hits were identified," according to the army.
The army reiterated calls to residents of the Gaza Strip not to approach the troops stationed there.
Palestinian officials also said Israel is violating the truce terms by blocking the entry of equipment to clear the debris and shelters for displaced people. Patients are also being stopped from leaving for hospital treatment in Egypt, they said. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
