Three Hamas Affiliates Killed in Israeli Airstrike in Rafah

The Gaza Interior Ministry, controlled by Hamas, claimed that "three police officers" were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. This Iran-backed group, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., the European Union, and several other countries, described the attack as a violation of the fragile ceasefire established on January 19. Reuters reported, citing Hamas-affiliated officials, that "these police officers were deployed to secure the entry of trucks carrying humanitarian aid" into the Gaza Strip. In response, the Israeli army stated that the attack targeted several armed individuals who were moving towards Israeli forces stationed in the area and that the targeting was precise. The Israeli army also urged all residents of Gaza to adhere to its military instructions and to avoid approaching the stationed forces in the area. Reports of this attack emerged while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Israel for meetings with senior Israeli officials to discuss mutual interests. Alireza Nourizadeh provided insights on the current situation of Hamas in Gaza and the issue of hostages, continuing speculation about the fate of the ceasefire agreement coinciding with the release of three more hostages from Hamas captivity. Marco Rubio was in Israel following the exchange of prisoners and hostages, as two Iran-backed groups prepared for the release of three Israeli hostages.