Gaza health officials say Israeli strike on police station kills 9

An Israeli airstrike on the municipal police headquarters in Gaza City killed nine people on Wednesday, according to Gaza health officials. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it targeted a Hamas commander who allegedly planned attacks against Israeli troops.

Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported receiving nine bodies, including a woman and a girl, and at least 20 wounded individuals following the strike. The territory's civil defense agency, which operates under Hamas, corroborated the death toll.

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Prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.

The Israeli military said that prior to the strike, measures were taken to minimize civilian harm, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance. It also reported striking another commander in Hamas's military wing in the central Gaza Strip.

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Israel's complete disregard for all calls for a ceasefire.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem condemned Israel's actions, accusing the country of having "complete disregard for all calls for a ceasefire." He also placed responsibility on the U.S. Board of Peace for the escalation, citing its failure to pressure Israel into adhering to its commitments.

This strike occurs despite a renewed U.S. effort to advance a long-term Gaza peace plan. Jared Kushner, a U.S. envoy, had indicated that progress toward disarming Hamas and moving forward with the plan could begin within a month. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to support the roadmap, insisting on troop withdrawal only after Hamas is "genuinely disarmed."

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Netanyahu, however, has refused to support the roadmap, vowing not to withdraw troops until the Palestinian Islamist movement is "genuinely disarmed."