Israeli air strike kills top Hamas official

An Israeli air strike has killed a senior officer of the Hamas-run Palestinian internal security service in the Gaza Strip along with his associate. 

Colonel Wael El-Ledawi, head of the service in central Gaza, and Major Ramez Abu Zraiq were both killed in the attack as they travelled in a vehicle through Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. 

Israeli military confirmed it had carried out a strike against a Hamas militant, but had not confirmed any further details. 

The two deaths were confirmed by medics and police officials.

Dozens of members of the Hamas-led police force have been killed by Israeli forces in the past few months, including senior officials. 

Israel has accused many of the force of being members of the Hamas armed wing who posed threats to Israel and its forces inside Gaza. 

Hamas says the Israeli attacks on the police force violate the US-brokered October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire halted full-scale fighting but has not ended the Israeli strikes from occurring near-daily, Hamas says.

Death toll rises

The deaths of Mr El-Ledawi and Mr Abu Zraiq add to the rising toll of more than 1,190 Palestinians who have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire took effect. 

Of those deaths, most were civilians, Gaza health officials report. 

Hamas does not usually disclose its losses.

Throughout the same period, four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza. 

Since the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, Israeli forces have effectively taken control of an estimated 64 per cent of the Gaza Strip. 

Nearly all of Gaza’s population now lives in makeshift tents or damaged buildings in dire conditions under Hamas control. 

Reuters