Three Palestinians killed in Khan Younis as Gaza police chief is shot dead

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
12h ago
Three Palestinians were killed by an Israeli quadcopter strike in Khan Younis, and the Khan Younis police chief, Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Al-Astal, was shot dead in a separate attack claimed by an anti-Hamas militia.
Three Palestinians killed in Khan Younis as Gaza police chief is shot dead
A What happened
Sources in Gaza said an Israeli quadcopter drone killed three Palestinians in Khan Younis, and a Palestinian woman was wounded by Israeli gunfire in the al-Batn al-Sameen area. Gaza’s Ministry of Interior said Khan Younis police chief Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Al-Astal was killed by gunfire from a car in the al-Mawasi area, and security services opened an investigation. The ministry said the shooters were “agents of the occupation” and suggested they were likely in an anti-Hamas militia working with the Israeli military; a militia leader claimed responsibility. Gaza’s Ministry of Health said more than 440 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,200 wounded since an October 10 ceasefire began.

Key insights

  • 1

    Gaza authorities link the police chief killing to collaborators: Gaza’s Ministry of Interior said the shooters who killed Lieutenant Colonel Mahmoud Al-Astal were “agents of the occupation” and suggested they were likely part of an anti-Hamas militia working with the Israeli military.

  • 2

    Gaza officials report repeated ceasefire violations: The Government Media Office in Gaza said Israel violated the ceasefire at least 1,193 times from October 10 to Friday through attacks by air, artillery, and gunfire.

Takeaways

Reports from Gaza said Israeli attacks in Khan Younis killed three Palestinians, and Gaza’s Interior Ministry said the city’s police chief was assassinated and an investigation is under way.

Topics

World & Politics Conflicts Security & Defense Investigations

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