At least ten Palestinians, including six children, were killed and 16 others injured when Israeli military aircraft bombed a water distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday morning, the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported.
Victims were transported to Al-Awda Hospital. Among the wounded were seven children, some in critical condition. Medical sources confirmed that 27 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn, with 18 fatalities occurring in Nuseirat alone.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the strike resulted from a “technical malfunction” during an operation targeting an operative from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist group. “An attack was carried out this morning against an Islamic Jihad terrorist operative in the central Gaza Strip,” the IDF stated. “Due to a technical malfunction of the munition, it hit dozens of meters from the designated target.”
“The incident is under investigation,” the IDF added, noting, “We are aware of reports of casualties in the area and the details of the incident are still being reviewed.” The military emphasized it operates against terrorist groups in Gaza “and makes every effort to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians.” “The IDF regrets any harm caused to non-combatants,” the statement concluded.
Separately, Israeli warplanes bombed a crowded market in central Gaza City, killing at least 12 Palestinians and wounding dozens, medical sources told Wafa. Among the dead was a surgeon from Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. The attack struck a popular market near Ramzon al-Samer in the densely populated Al-Daraj neighborhood.
Medical sources reported that Tuesday’s attacks have brought the total number of Palestinians killed in Israeli raids on the enclave since early morning to at least 50.