Israeli Strikes Kill Eight Palestinians in Gaza, Including Five Police Officers, Despite Year-Long Ceasefire

GAZA (Terror Monitor) — Israeli airstrikes killed at least eight Palestinians, including five police officers, in two separate attacks across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, November 1, according to medical sources and Gaza’s Hamas-run Interior Ministry, as Israeli military operations continue despite a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect in October 2025.

Medical sources said three Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, while five police officers were killed in a separate attack in the western part of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

According to the Gaza Interior Ministry, the five police officers were targeted while carrying out their duties in the western Khan Younis area. The attack reportedly took place in the al-Mawasi area, where displaced Palestinians have also been sheltering.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had carried out a strike in Khan Younis, saying it had targeted several armed individuals. However, it did not provide further details about the identities of those targeted or immediately comment on the reported deaths in Gaza City.

The military has continued to conduct air and drone strikes across the territory, despite the ceasefire agreement intended to halt hostilities and pave the way for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction.

Conflicting accounts over ceasefire violations

Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire by attempting to rebuild its military capabilities, rearming and planning or carrying out attacks against Israeli forces.

Hamas has rejected these allegations, accusing Israel of repeatedly violating the agreement and undermining efforts to stabilise the situation in Gaza.

The Israeli military has intensified its attacks against alleged Hamas targets in recent weeks, with the latest strikes adding to the growing Palestinian death toll since the ceasefire took effect.

The agreement, brokered by the United States last year, was intended to establish a framework for ending the war, facilitating humanitarian assistance, securing the release of captives, withdrawing Israeli forces and beginning the reconstruction of the devastated territory.

However, negotiations have made little progress, particularly over two major outstanding issues: the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Israeli forces control around two-thirds of Gaza

Israeli forces currently control approximately two-thirds of the Gaza Strip, having established military positions and imposed restrictions on Palestinian movement in areas under their control.

The vast majority of Gaza's population, estimated at more than two million people, remains concentrated in the remaining third of the territory, much of which has been devastated by nearly three years of Israeli military operations.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians continue to live in makeshift tents, damaged residential buildings and temporary shelters, with limited access to essential services, healthcare, clean water and adequate housing.

Despite the ceasefire, the territory has yet to see meaningful reconstruction, while restrictions, continued military operations and the unresolved political and security arrangements have further complicated efforts to restore normal life.

Palestinian death toll continues to rise

According to Gaza health authorities, at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire came into effect in October 2025. Israel, meanwhile, says four of its soldiers have been killed during the same period.

The overall Palestinian death toll since October 7, 2023, has exceeded 74,000, according to Palestinian authorities.

The war began after Hamas-led fighters launched an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Israel subsequently launched a large-scale military campaign across the Gaza Strip, involving extensive airstrikes, ground operations and the destruction of residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure.

Gaza's health authorities say the prolonged offensive has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians and left much of the enclave in ruins, with millions affected by displacement and the destruction of essential infrastructure.

The latest casualties underscore the continuing fragility of the ceasefire and the absence of a comprehensive political agreement capable of ending the violence and addressing Gaza's humanitarian and reconstruction needs.