Israeli Strike in Gaza Kills Six Children Amid Military Admission of 'Technical Error'

At least ten people, six of whom were children, were killed in an Israeli air strike in central Gaza on Sunday, according to emergency service officials. The victims were reportedly waiting to fill water containers when the strike occurred. Sixteen others, including seven children, were injured and treated at al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat.

Eyewitnesses described a drone firing a missile at a crowd gathered near a water tanker in the al-Nuseirat refugee camp. The Israeli military later admitted to a "technical error" in a strike targeting an Islamic Jihad operative, stating that the munition had deviated from its intended target by dozens of meters. The incident is currently under review.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged reports of casualties and expressed regret for any harm to civilians, emphasizing their efforts to minimize civilian impact. Verified footage of the aftermath shows chaotic scenes of people rushing to aid the injured, including children, amidst scattered yellow water containers.

BBC Verify identified the location of the strike by analyzing nearby landmarks, placing it approximately 80 meters southwest of Nuseirat Junior High School. Satellite imagery from three weeks prior revealed a tanker truck parked near the site. However, the exact cause and origin of the strike remain unclear.

This incident occurred amid escalating Israeli aerial attacks across Gaza. A spokesperson for Gaza's Civil Defence Agency reported 19 additional Palestinian deaths on Sunday in separate strikes on residential buildings in central Gaza and Gaza City.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) highlighted the dire humanitarian situation, noting a significant increase in mass casualty cases at its Rafah field hospital. Since late May, the hospital has treated over 3,400 patients with weapon-related injuries and recorded more than 250 deaths, surpassing the total from the previous year.

The UN human rights office has documented 789 aid-related killings, with the majority occurring near aid distribution sites. The Israeli military has acknowledged some civilian harm incidents and stated it is working to reduce friction between its forces and the population.

Gaza continues to face severe shortages of fuel, food, and medical supplies, with over 90% of homes damaged or destroyed. The UN has warned that the fuel shortage is reaching critical levels, threatening hospitals, water systems, and sanitation networks.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, has resulted in significant civilian casualties and widespread displacement. The Hamas-run health ministry reports over 57,000 deaths since the conflict began.

Additional reporting by Richard Irvine-Brown and Benedict Garman, BBC Verify.