Gaza City's police chief, Colonel Jamal Abu Kamil, 43, was killed on Thursday in an Israeli drone strike that fired three missiles at his vehicle on al-Rashid Street, southwest of Gaza City. Gaza's Ministry of Interior announced the killing, stating that two other individuals were injured in the attack. The ministry described Abu Kamil's death as an assassination.

The strike occurred a day after Israel ended a weeklong pause in air raids on the Gaza Strip. This pause had not stopped ground attacks, and Israel continues to violate a "ceasefire" agreement from October. The Israeli military claimed it targeted Abu Kamil to "remove a threat," alleging he was a Hamas commander without providing evidence. Gaza's police force refuted this, stating Abu Kamil was dedicated to his police duties and had no other affiliations. Hamas also condemned the killing, viewing it as a continuation of Israeli "crimes" and an attempt to create disorder in Gaza.

Earlier on Thursday, a separate Israeli strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, targeted a motorbike, killing one person, identified as Huthaifa Kawari, and critically wounding another. Israel made similar claims of targeting a Hamas commander in this incident, also without offering proof. These attacks follow an Israeli air strike on Wednesday in Beit Lahiya, which killed a municipal worker and injured five others, marking the first air raid since August 3.

The resumption of strikes comes after a brief halt under pressure from the United States, following President Donald Trump's announcement of a "major milestone" in his plan to end the conflict. Trump had stated last month that Israel and Hamas had agreed to his 15-point plan, which included Israeli withdrawal and Hamas disarmament, to be implemented by the Gaza Board of Peace. Hamas had indicated acceptance of the deal to prevent further war, contingent on Israel's withdrawal and cessation of attacks.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the agreement on Sunday, asserting that Israeli forces would not withdraw until Hamas was "genuinely disarmed." Three days later, air strikes resumed in Gaza. Israel's ongoing attacks have been a near-daily occurrence since the conflict escalated.

The killing of Colonel Abu Kamil and the continued strikes highlight the volatile situation in Gaza. The differing accounts from Israeli authorities and Gaza's Ministry of Interior underscore the deep mistrust and conflicting narratives surrounding the conflict.

Experts suggest that the cycle of violence is likely to persist as long as fundamental disagreements on security and withdrawal remain unresolved between Israel and Hamas, despite international mediation efforts.

Questions linger regarding the specific evidence Israel possesses regarding Abu Kamil's alleged Hamas affiliation and the potential impact of these strikes on any ongoing peace initiatives or the humanitarian situation in Gaza.