Since the start of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, it has repeatedly targeted police personnel and infrastructure in Gaza, in what Palestinian authorities say is weakening public order institutions and undermining civilian infrastructure. In the months following the October 2025 ceasefire, the attacks have continued with a series of strikes hitting police vehicles, checkpoints and patrol units.
The most recent attacks took place this month. On April 11, an Israeli air strike on a police checkpoint in the Bureij refugee camp killed at least six policemen, while on April 5 a drone strike in Gaza City’s al-Daraj neighbourhood killed four.
In Gaza, around 10,000 police officers, mostly unarmed officers dressed in navy police uniforms, patrol the streets and maintain law and order, directing traffic and patrolling markets and tent encampments.
Palestinian authorities in the enclave have said Israel has killed at least 2,800 police officers since the start of the genocide in October 2023, and the attacks on police are part of a broader pattern that has persisted despite the truce, under which more than 770 Palestinians have been killed.
On January 12, a senior police officer, Mahmoud Al-Astal, head of criminal investigations in Khan Younis, was shot dead by Israeli-backed gangs in the al Mawasi area.
A January 31 Israeli strike on the Sheikh Radwan police station in Gaza City killed at least 10–14 people, including 8 police officers.
On February 26, Israel bombed police checkpoints in Khan Younis, killing at least 6 policemen.
Two Israeli strikes on March 14 and March 16 in central Gaza killed 9 police officers.
March 28 Israeli strikes on police checkpoints in Khan Younis killed 3 policemen.
On March 30, an Israeli strike on the Nuseirat police checkpoint killed 2 policemen.
Palestinian authorities in Gaza stated that “operational orders and precautionary measures” had been issued “to reduce risks to police personnel, including reorganising movements and deployments” after rampant Israeli attacks, Reuters reported.
Israel’s claims
Israel claims its attacks in Gaza that have struck and killed police officers have been aimed at eliminating “threats to its troops from Hamas”.
Israel continues to occupy roughly 53 percent of Gaza and views the police in Gaza as an extension of Hamas.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that Tel Aviv had adjusted its operational policies and escalated attacks, making no distinction between those from Hamas or police personnel.
According to Channel 12, these operations fall within what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as “disarmament the hard way”, in parallel with diplomatic tracks proposed within international plans.