IDF blames ‘technical error’ for Gaza strike that killed children collecting water

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said Sunday that an airstrike in central Gaza mistakenly hit a water distribution site, killing eight civilians — most of them children. The military said the incident was caused by a “technical malfunction” and added that it is now investigating the error.

The airstrike occurred in the Nuseirat refugee camp, where people had gathered to collect clean water.

“Due to a technical malfunction in the munition, it struck dozens of meters away from the intended target,” the IDF said in a statement.

It added that IDF had been targeting a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative, and that the military “makes every effort to minimise harm to uninvolved civilians.”

Local residents reported that many families walk about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) just to collect water. He said about 20 children and 14 adults were at the site when the missile hit.

Gaza has been facing severe water shortages for months. The lack of fuel has shut down desalination and sanitation facilities, making collection points the only option for many people trying to get clean water.

Gaza’s health ministry said on Sunday that more than 58,000 people had been killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, with 139 people added to the death toll over the past 24 hours.

TALKS FOR GAZA CEASEFIRE HIT DEADLOCK

Meanwhile, there has been no significant progress in the ceasefire and hostage-deal negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to convene ministers late on Sunday to discuss the latest developments in the talks, an Israeli official said.

The indirect talks over a US proposal for a 60-day ceasefire are being held in Doha, but optimism that surfaced last week of a looming deal has largely faded, with both sides accusing each other of intransigence.

Netanyahu in a video he posted on Telegram on Sunday, said Israel would not back down from its core demands – releasing all the hostages still in Gaza, destroying Hamas and ensuring Gaza will never again be a threat to Israel.

Palestine Al-Youm, a news outlet linked to Islamic Jihad, quoted a senior Hamas leader on Sunday who said the talks had reached a critical stage. The leader warned that Hamas might walk away from the negotiations if things didn’t change soon.

The IDF told the government that its recent military operations in Gaza have nearly achieved their goals. US President Donald Trump has also been urging both sides to end the war, which has now gone on for 21 months.

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With inputs from Reuters, AP