Israeli strike kills Gaza boy and five police officers, police say

Israeli strike kills Gaza boy and five police officers, police say
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Summary In a statement, the ​Gaza police directorate said two missiles had hit a police post in the Tawam area

(Reuters) – An Israeli air strike targeting a Palestinian police post ​in northern Gaza on Saturday killed at ‌least five police officers and a 13-year-old boy, and wounded several others, Gaza police said, as Israel intensified ​attacks on the Hamas-run force.

In a statement, the ​Gaza police directorate, charged with maintaining security in areas of Gaza that fell under Hamas ​control after a ceasefire brokered by the US ​in October, said two missiles had hit a police post in the Tawam area.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond ​to a request for comment.

Hamas' nearly 10,000 police ​officers have emerged as a sticking point in talks to ‌advance US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza. Hamas wants them included in a new police force envisaged under the plan. Israel objects to the involvement ​of any ​officers with Hamas affiliations.

Those talks have also been deadlocked over Hamas’ refusal to lay down ​its weapons, as well as near-daily ​Israeli attacks in the enclave, which health officials say have killed more than 880 Palestinians since the truce. At ​least four Israeli soldiers have been ​killed in militant attacks over the same period.