Gaza police chief among at least 43 killed in Israeli air strikes

NEWS WIRES

2 January 2025 at 10:59 am·1-min read

A crater caused by an Israeli strike that hit an administrative building in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 2, 2025.

Israeli air strikes on Thursday killed at least 43 people across the Gaza Strip including Mahmoud Salah, the director general of Gaza's police department, Gaza's interior ministry said. Salah was in the Al-Mawasi district, a humanitarian zone for civilians, when he was killed.

Israeli air strikes killed at least 43 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including 11 people in a tent encampment sheltering displaced families, medics said.

They said the 11 included women and children in the Al-Mawasi district, which was designated as a humanitarian zone for civilians earlier in the war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group, now in its 15th month.

The director general of Gaza's police department, Mahmoud Salah, and his aide, Hussam Shahwan, were killed in the strike, according to the Hamas-run Gaza interior ministry.

"By committing the crime of assassinating the director general of police in the Gaza Strip, the occupation is insisting on spreading chaos in the (enclave) and deepening the human suffering of citizens," it added in a statement.

The Israeli military said it had conducted an intelligence-based strike in Al-Mawasi, just west of the city of Khan Younis, and eliminated Shahwan, calling him the head of Hamas security forces in southern Gaza. It made no mention of Salah's death.

"Everyday without a ceasefire will bring more tragedy."

The Israeli military has accused Gaza militants of using built-up residential areas for cover. Hamas denies this.

(Reuters)

Australian Associated Press
Thompson joins Popyrin on the Australian Open scrapheap
Jordan Thompson has followed fellow home seed Alexei Popyrin out of the Australian Open exit gates with a straight-sets second-round loss to Nuno Borges.
Australian Associated Press
Zelenskiy visits Poland after deal over WWII massacre
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy has visited Poland following a breakthrough in a historical dispute on wartime exhumations that has stood between the allies.
Australian Associated Press
Cotton sparks second-quarter blitz, Perth blunt Bullets
The most lopsided quarter of the NBL season has helped Perth overcome an undermanned Brisbane, with Bryce Cotton again starring with 36 points.
Australian Associated Press
Lightning forces abandonment of Sydney-Canberra clash
Sydney FC's A-League Women match against Canberra United has been abandoned due to lightning, with the Sky Blues leading 2-0 at the time.
Australian Associated Press
German veteran sends Zheng crashing out in Open upset
German veteran Laura Siegemund has caused a massive boilover at the Australian Open, downing Chinese star Zheng Qinwen, but Coco Gauff has advanced.
Australian Associated Press
Bill Shorten to quit politics early, sparking reshuffle
Retiring Labor minister Bill Shorten will leave politics earlier than expected, giving his party the opportunity for a refresh before the federal election.
Australian Associated Press
Phoenix teenager denies Sydney FC in A-League Men debut
Teenage goalkeeper Alby Kelly-Heald has kept a clean sheet in his A-League Men debut as Wellington ground out a 0-0 draw with Sydney FC.
Australian Associated Press
Body count from South African mine siege rises to 60
Dozens of dead bodies have been pulled from the illegal South African goldmine that police laid siege to five months ago.
Australian Associated Press
Doctors warned 'aggressive' tactic will impact families
Families of people with poor mental health will bear the brunt of chaos caused by psychiatrists resigning as experts warn the public system is failing patients.
Australian Associated Press
LA firefighters hold the line amid extreme conditions
Crews have kept Los Angeles' deadly fires growing for a second day, while the city remains on edge before desert winds reach their forecast peak.
Australian Associated Press
South Korean police arrest impeached President Yoon
South Korea's Yoon Suk-yeol is refusing to talk, investigators say, after the impeached leader was arrested for questioning over his declaration of martial law.
Australian Associated Press
Big guns Alcaraz, Djokovic through to Open third round
Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz has eased his way to the Australian Open third round, while fellow title contender Novak Djokovic took a more difficult path.
Australian Associated Press
Row erupts as creaking health system poses serious risk
Patient wait times continue to climb while a maintenance backlog poses major threats, an audit report of one state's health system has found.
Australian Associated Press
Trump's Pentagon pick grilled over misconduct claims
Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's choice to lead the Pentagon, has faced fierce questioning over his drinking, views on women and allegations of sexual assault.
Australian Associated Press
Wilson questions if Dibb really wants Brisbane rematch
Liam Wilson has reconsidered his approach to boxing and is adamant another world-title shot is within reach ahead of a Youssef Dib rematch.
Australian Associated Press
Thunder roll to a sweet 16-point NBA win over 76ers
A 32-point haul from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has helped the Oklahoma City Thunder score a 16-point NBA win over a depleted Philadelphia 76ers line-up.
Australian Associated Press
TikTok preparing for US shut-off on Sunday
TikTok will reportedly shut off its app for all US users within days when a ban comes into effect, a move that would go further than the law dictates.
Australian Associated Press
Real-life 'Rake' lawyer given one year to shape up
The real-life inspiration behind impish TV lawyer Rake has one year to prove himself fit to practice after sexually harassing three much younger women.
Australian Associated Press
Tom Gilbert delivers good news to Dolphins fans
Tom Gilbert suffered a fresh injury scare at the Dolphins' preseason NRL camp but insists he's on track to play the club's season opener against the Rabbitohs.
Australian Associated Press
Research highlights alcohol links to disease and death
The largest investigation of alcohol consumption in Australia's history shows how it increases the risk of cancers, other diseases and death.

Latest stories