A senior officer in Gaza’s Interior Ministry has been killed in an Israeli air strike, according to Palestinian medics and Hamas sources.

Medics on Wednesday said Colonel Naseem al-Kalazani was killed in a targeted Israeli strike on his vehicle near the al-Mawasi area in western Khan Younis in the southern besieged Gaza Strip. At least 17 others were wounded.

Al-Kalazani led the anti-narcotics force in Khan Younis, Hamas sources said. Meanwhile, Israel intensified its attacks, killing at least three Palestinians near the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, bringing the day’s death toll to at least four. Israel did not comment on the attacks.

Violence in Gaza has persisted despite a US-brokered “ceasefire” that took effect in October. Israel continues near-daily attacks on Palestinians, and both sides blame each other for violations.

At least 830 Palestinians have been killed during the “ceasefire”, according to local medics, while Israel claims Hamas has killed four of its soldiers over the same period. Israel says its strikes aim to thwart attacks by Hamas and other armed groups.

Israel’s security cabinet discussed renewing the genocidal war after Hamas refused to commit to full disarmament. Hamas submitted a counteroffer, insisting that its weapons only be addressed as part of a framework culminating in a Palestinian state, and demanded Israel cease expanding control in Gaza and increase aid.

Despite a small uptick in aid since the reopening of the Zikim crossing, the UN OCHA reports that humanitarian conditions are still deteriorating. Over 72,500 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023.

Source: www.aljazeera.com