Gaza officials report that a deadly airstrike in central Gaza on Sunday led to the loss of multiple lives, including six children. The Israeli military has admitted to a 'technical error' in the strike, which targeted supposed militants but instead hit civilians queuing for water. This incident underscores the tragic toll of ongoing conflict in the region, with civilian casualties rising amidst a humanitarian crisis.
Tragic Strike in Gaza Claims Lives of Children Amid Israeli Military Admission of 'Error'
Tragic Strike in Gaza Claims Lives of Children Amid Israeli Military Admission of 'Error'
An Israeli airstrike mistakenly killed at least ten people, including six children, causing outrage as the military acknowledges a miscalculation during operations in Gaza.
Ten people, including six children, lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike on Sunday while they were waiting to fill water containers in central Gaza, according to local emergency service officials. The victims were transported to al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat, where medical staff reported treating 16 additional injuries, including seven children.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that a drone launched a missile at a crowd gathered with empty jerry cans next to a water tanker in al-Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military acknowledged that a "technical error" had occurred, stating that the strike was intended for an Islamic Jihad "terrorist," but the munition fell significantly off-target. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) expressed regret for any harm to uninvolved civilians and noted the incident is under review.
Verified footage of the aftermath shows numerous civilians, including children, lying injured on the ground amid yellow jerry cans as bystanders rushed to provide aid. BBC Verify confirmed the location of the strike through visual analysis, establishing it was approximately 80 meters from Nuseirat Junior High School.
The incident aligns with a notable escalation of aerial attacks carried out by Israel across the Gaza Strip. Further reports from Gaza's Civil Defence Agency indicated that 19 other Palestinians were killed in separate strikes on residential buildings in Gaza City and its surroundings on the same day.
In a troubling statement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) revealed its Rafah field hospital has treated more mass casualty cases in recent weeks than over the previous year combined. On Saturday alone, the hospital received 132 patients with weapon-related injuries, with 31 fatalities reported. The ICRC highlighted dire conditions for civilians in Gaza, exacerbated by ongoing violence.
The conflict intensified following Israel's military response to a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and numerous hostages taken. Since then, a staggering 57,882 deaths have reportedly occurred in Gaza as per Hamas health ministry data, with a majority of the civilian population displaced multiple times and basic utilities severely disrupted.
As concerns over the humanitarian crisis mount, the UN recently warned that fuel shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels, affecting essential services such as hospitals and sanitation. Although 75,000 liters of fuel were allowed into the region this week, organizations claim this amount falls far short of the daily necessities.
The ongoing violence has caused immense suffering, with hospitals reporting worsening conditions as they struggle to cope with the influx of patients. Amidst the turmoil, international entities continue to call for accountability and improved conditions for those caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.
