Kathmandu | June 28, 2025 —
At least 18 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting a Hamas police unit in central Gaza, according to a doctor and eyewitnesses who spoke to the BBC.
The strike reportedly took place in the Deir al-Balah area as members of Hamas’ internal security forces, dressed in civilian clothes and wearing masks, were attempting to regulate a local market. Eyewitnesses say the drone targeted the group while they were speaking with vendors. The officers had allegedly been cracking down on stolen goods being resold at inflated prices.
The Hamas-run Interior Ministry has condemned the attack, accusing Israel of committing a crime by targeting police officers responsible for maintaining public order.
In a statement, the ministry emphasized that the victims were working to enforce market regulations and restore order amidst growing economic instability in the region.
The BBC has reached out to the Israeli military for comment, but no official response has been received at the time of publication.
The incident adds to the growing toll of violence in Gaza as tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Hamas, with civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire.
