An Israeli airstrike has killed three policemen east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, the interior ministry said in a statement, calling it a breach of the fragile January 19 ceasefire, Reuters reports.

It said the policemen were deployed in the area to secure the entry of aid trucks into Gaza. A third policeman was injured, it added.

“The ministry…condemns this crime and calls upon the mediators and the international community to compel the occupation to stop targeting the police force, which is a civil apparatus,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Israeli military said the strike targeted several armed individuals who were moving toward forces deployed near the area and “hits were identified”.

It called on all residents of Gaza to adhere to army instructions and refrain from approaching Israeli troops deployed in the area.