UPDATE 2 - 4 policemen killed in Israeli bombing of Gaza Strip

ADDS MORE DETAILS, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Hosni Nadim

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - At least four Palestinian policemen were killed and eight others injured on Saturday when Israeli jets bombed their car in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, police said.

The general directorate of police in Gaza said Israeli aircraft attacked a patrol of officers and members from the Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood police station in western part of the city.

“The airstrike targeted the police station's director, Fares Abdel-Al, and the patrol team as they carried out their duties of serving citizens, securing homes, and protecting public property,” it added.

“The center's director and three other officers were killed, while eight others sustained various injuries,” the statement said.

The directorate urged the international community to "urge Israel to cease targeting the civilian organization dedicated to providing essential services for citizens and maintaining public order."

Israel has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border attack that claimed 1,200 lives. Israeli actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice.

The top UN court in May ordered Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah, where over 1 million people had sought refuge from the war.

•⁠ ⁠Writing by Ikram Kouachi