An Israeli airstrike killed three policemen east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Hamas-run interior ministry said, condemning the attack as a violation of the fragile ceasefire agreed on January 19.
The ministry stated that the policemen had been deployed in 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," the statement read.
The Israeli military, however, said the strike targeted several armed individuals moving toward Israeli forces stationed near the area, adding that "hits were identified." It also urged Gaza residents to follow military instructions and avoid approaching Israeli troops in the region.
The incident marks another escalation in tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid into the war-torn territory.
The ministry stated that the policemen had been deployed in 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," the statement read.
The Israeli military, however, said the strike targeted several armed individuals moving toward Israeli forces stationed near the area, adding that "hits were identified." It also urged Gaza residents to follow military instructions and avoid approaching Israeli troops in the region.
The incident marks another escalation in tensions despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain the ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid into the war-torn territory.
