In the early hours of 13 April 2025, 42-year old Mohammad Ahmed al-Darbashi (Abu Ahmed) was reportedly killed and an unspecified number of individuals injured in an drone strike allegedly carried out by Israeli forces, which hit al-Darbashi’s home in the southern al-Buraq neighborhood, west of Khan Younis. Mohammad al-Darbashi was reportedly a Lieutenant Colonel of the Palestinian Civil Police.

At 00:58, the news agency Safa first reported that one person had been killed in a drone strike on a residential building in western Khan Younis. At 01:50, the outlet identified the deceased as Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ahmed al-Darbashi, described as the director of a police station in the area. Additional reporting by Bassam Jamil via Facebook indicated that the strike also caused multiple injuries without providing an exact toll.

Later during the day, Al Jazeera Mubasher released video footage showing Civil Defence personnel recovering a body from the rubble of a damaged building, reportedly identified as the residence of the al-Darbashi family. The General Directorate of Police in Gaza issued a statement condemning what it described as a “direct targeting” by Israeli forces, and affirmed that it would “continue to carry out its duty to protect the security of citizens despite the bombing and targeting.” The same statement was later cited by the Palestinian Ministry of Interior.

Mohamed Awad reported the arrival of Mohammed Ahmed al-Darbashi in the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

On the same day, an individual identifying himself as Abu Mohammed al-Darbashi posted on Facebook said that “my brother and beloved Mohammed al-Darbashi (Abu Ahmed) was martyred as a result of an assassination attempt.” Abu Ahmed Akila also posted a message of condolence on Facebook, addressed to al-Darbashi’s father-in-law, Abu Hussam al-Khalili. A Facebook user identifying as al-Darbashi’s nephew posted a public tribute, tagging other family members and recalling their last meeting. The post referenced repeated concerns raised by relatives over the risks associated with al-Darbashi’s professional role, noting that he “did not hide, but remained at work, sleeping at home, until the machine of treachery reached him the previous night.” Another Facebook account under the name “The world is better than its people” also issued a mourning message, referring to al-Darbashi as a cousin. In another Facebook post, Kareem Farid expressed condolences.

On the same day, Palestine TV released video footage showing extensive structural damage, which it identified as the al-Darbashi family home and surrounding buildings and tents.

Photographs circulated of al-Darbashi on different social media channels and news outlets frequently depict him wearing a uniform and beret with the emblem of the Palestinian Civil Police, consistent with the statements issued by different sources, including by the General Directorate of Police in Gaza. Twitter user @marwansala49298 described the incident as “part of a series of assassinations in recent weeks targeting members of the police and internal security forces affiliated with Hamas.”

Airwars has classified Mohammed al-Darbashi as a civilian, on the understanding that the police units and infrastructure of civil defense are distinct from the militant wing of Hamas, which is participating in hostilities. This will be updated should further information indicating Darbashi was a member of the militant group come to light.

On 5 July 2025, Aljazeera Egypt released footage of what it reported to be “emotional scenes of the farewell to (….) Mohammad Al-Darbashi”. In the footage, individuals are seen mourning beside a body wrapped in a white plastic body bag. One person is shown consoling a young boy who is crying in distress.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the attack to the Israeli military.

Airwars is matching individuals to the first list where their name appeared. The name of the victim, although listed as Mohammad Ismael Ahmed al-Darbashi, was matched to entries in the ninth MoH list released on June 23, 2025.