Gaza: The Israeli army intensify its assault on Rafah as the International Court of Justice says it will rule on Friday on a request by South Africa to order Israel to implement a ceasefire in Gaza, including in the southern city.
Israeli forces kill at least 12 Palestinians in two-day raid on Jenin, in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli army has stepped up its attacks on Rafah this month as part of a ground offensive on the city.
The Interior Ministry in Gaza says in a statement published on its official Telegram channel that Major General Diaa ad-Din ash-Shurafa was killed “as a result of an assassination carried out by Israeli occupation aircraft”.
The statement says he was on a tour of as-Saraya area of central Gaza City in the northern Strip this morning when he was killed, and that four other officers were injured in the attack.
The National Security Forces operate in the occupied West Bank, where it is under the command of the Palestinian Authority, and the Gaza Strip, where it reports to the Hamas-led government. Its function is to support governmental security forces.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has said the army is stepping up operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where a ground offensive has been under way since May 6.
“This action will go on and on, more forces from the ground, more forces from the air, and we will reach our goals,” Gallant said while touring the Gaza coast to inspect the capabilities of the Israeli navy.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said it would rule on South Africa’s request to order a halt to Israel’s offensive on Rafah Friday afternoon.
Israel’s ground and air offensive against the city has caused the displacement of more than 800,000 Palestinians who were sheltering there, the UN says.