Israel kills Hamas police chief; DM Katz threatens more strikes if Hamas won’t release hostages

An Israeli airstrike on Thursday morning killed Hamas' police chief in Gaza's humanitarian zone, as fighting in the enclave continues and ceasefire negotiations appear to have stalled once again.

Palestinian sources said the strike killed 10 people, including several children, as well as the commander of Hamas’ police force, Mahmoud Salah, and Hussam Shahwan, another high-ranking police officer.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later confirmed the killing of Shahwan, who served as head of Hamas' internal security in the southern part of the strip.

"The internal security mechanism of the terrorist organization Hamas has carried out violent investigations against the residents of the Gaza Strip, while seriously infringing on human rights and oppressing the organization's opponents," the IDF stated.

"The terrorist Shahwan was entrusted with creating an intelligence image aimed against the activities of our forces in the Gaza Strip, together with other bodies of the military arm of the terrorist organization Hamas."

The strike came after negotiations over a ceasefire deal to include the release of the remaining 100 Israeli hostages reached another dead end. Hamas began the new year by launching rockets at the town of Netivot, a relatively large distance compared to its attacks in recent months, most of which targeted areas near Gaza.

🚨New year, new me? Not according to Hamas.

Hamas continues to threaten our civilians and just fired 2 rockets, triggering sirens in southern Israel.

We will continue operating to bring our 100 remaining hostages home and dismantle Hamas. pic.twitter.com/Msvv8IC1My

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 31, 2024

During a visit to the town following the attack, which caused no injuries or damage, Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged to escalate airstrikes and military operations in Gaza unless Hamas agrees to release the hostages.

Israel will deal Hamas “blows with a force not seen in Gaza for a long time,” he said.

“The IDF will intensify its activities against the terrorist nests in Gaza until the release of the hostages and the elimination of Hamas,” Katz declared, calling “on Gaza’s residents to rise up against the murderous Hamas group, which also uses you as human shields, and to bring about the release of the hostages, to prevent suffering and end the war.”

The defense minister added that Israel was prepared for “far-reaching compromises” to reach a hostage deal.

"איום מיידי, אני חוזר איום מיידי, מג״ד מזהה איום מיידי על הכוחות, באיתור - שני אנשים נכנסו עם אופנוע, אתה רשאי"*: *חיל האוויר תקף למעלה מ-1,400 מטרות במסגרת שיתוף הפעולה עם הכוחות המתמרנים ברצועת עזה במהלך חודש דצמבר

לכל הפרטים:https://t.co/LeQXEVExr9 pic.twitter.com/HxLoLw6WAS

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 1, 2025

Fighting in the Gaza Strip has continued in recent months, although with less intensity. The focus of Israeli operations lies in northern Gaza at the moment, where the army has systematically evacuated civilians and cleared terrorists and Hamas infrastructure from the areas of Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun.

During December, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted over 1,400 strikes to assist the ground forces, using fighter jets, helicopter gunships and drones, the IDF said.

Among the targets were terror squads, tunnel shafts and underground infrastructures, observation and sniping positions and weapons warehouses.

🔴Abd al-Hadi Sabah, a Nukhba Platoon Commander in the Western Khan Yunis Battalion was eliminated in an intelligence-based IDF and ISA strike.

Abd al-Hadi Sabah—who operated from a shelter in the Humanitarian Area in Khan Yunis—was one of the leaders of the infiltration into… pic.twitter.com/KMC5HAXNfA

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 31, 2024

In another notable recent airstrike, on Tuesday, the IDF killed a Hamas commander who led the Hamas raid and massacre in Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7.

Acting on intelligence from the Shin Bet and IDF intelligence, the IAF struck Abd al-Hadi Zabah, the commander of a Nukhba unit in the West Khan Younis Brigade, while he was hiding in al-Mawasi.