Official statements from the Israeli government or Hamas, or reputable international news agencies

Israeli Airstrikes Kill 71 in Gaza, Including Police Chief, Women and Children in Safe Zones

Jan 2, 2025, 09:40 AM

Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip have killed at least 71 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, including women and children, according to medical officials. The Israeli Defense Forces carried out 34 airstrikes targeting multiple locations, including Jabalia, Khan Younis, and Al-Zawayda. Among the dead are Mahmoud Salah, the director-general of Gaza's police force, and his deputy, Hussam Shahwan, who were killed in an airstrike on a tent encampment sheltering displaced families in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, designated as a humanitarian safe zone. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted Hamas command centers embedded in civilian areas, including a command center in the Khan Younis municipality building. Airstrikes have hit areas sheltering displaced civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as the conflict extends into the new year.