Arabic version: ضربة إسرائيلية تقتل ضابطي أمن تابعين لحماس في وسط غزة

According to ABC News, an Israeli air strike killed Colonel Wael El-Ledawi, a senior officer in the Hamas-run Palestinian internal security service, and Major Ramez Abu Zraiq in central Gaza.

Mr El-Ledawi, who headed the service in central Gaza, and Mr Abu Zraiq were killed while travelling in a vehicle through Deir Al-Balah, the report said. Medics and police officials confirmed the two deaths.

The Israeli military said it had carried out a strike against a Hamas militant, but did not confirm further details. Dozens of members of the Hamas-led police force, including senior officials, have been killed by Israeli forces in recent months.

Israel has accused many members of the force of belonging to Hamas’s armed wing and posing threats to Israel and its forces inside Gaza. Hamas says attacks on the police force breach the US-brokered October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

More than 1,190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire took effect, with most of those killed civilians, Gaza health officials say. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza during the same period.