Palestine's Interior Ministry confirmed on June 26 that three police officers were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting their vehicle in the Maghazi refugee camp, part of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.
According to a statement from the ministry, the victims were identified as Captain Mansour Sami Shahtout, Captain Mohammed Khaled Nofal, and Sergeant First Class Mahdi Nader Jabr. The ministry accused Israeli forces of "treacherously bombing" their vehicle.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that an Israeli drone struck the vehicle near the entrance to the Maghazi camp. Anadolu news agency said the drone fired at least two missiles, igniting the car and causing casualties.
Witness video footage showed a civilian car ablaze on Salah al-Din road at the camp entrance. The victims' bodies were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah.
The Interior Ministry condemned a "heinous crime" and said that targeting civilian police reflects a "persistent intent to spread chaos throughout the Gaza Strip." It called on the international community and guarantors of the ceasefire deal to pressure Israel to stop attacks on police forces.
A US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025, but violations have continued. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, as of June 26, Israeli ceasefire violations have killed 1,031 Palestinians and injured 3,309. The total death toll since the war began in October 2023 has surpassed 73,000.
Diplomatically, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said consultations with Palestinian factions and mediators are ongoing to ensure full implementation of the ceasefire, including stage one and the mechanism for stage two. A delegation is expected to travel to Cairo in the coming days to deliver a response.
Qassem accused Israel of serious and persistent violations, including restricting humanitarian aid and continuing to kill. He said more than 1,000 Palestinians have died since the ceasefire began, and Israel has expanded a "buffer zone" into new areas, causing displacement and home demolitions. He urged mediators to take a clear stance to pressure Israel into compliance.
