At least eight Palestinians, most of them children, were killed and more than a dozen wounded in central Gaza when an Israeli missile struck a water collection point on Sunday, according to local officials. The victims had gathered in the Nuseirat refugee camp to collect water amid severe shortages exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that the missile was intended for a suspected Islamic Jihad militant but malfunctioned, landing “dozens of meters from the target.” In a statement, the IDF expressed regret over the harm to civilians and stated that the incident is under review.
“The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved civilians,” the statement read.
Emergency physician Ahmed Abu Saifan from Al-Awda Hospital reported that six children were among the dead, with 17 others injured in the blast. The dire water situation in Gaza has forced residents to rely on such collection points, as fuel shortages have crippled desalination and sanitation facilities.
Rising Casualties and Humanitarian Crisis
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 58,000 people have been killed since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023, with 139 deaths added to the toll in the past 24 hours. The escalating conflict has intensified the humanitarian crisis, leaving many without basic necessities.
Stalled Ceasefire Negotiations
While Israel continues its military operations, indirect talks aimed at achieving a 60-day ceasefire are underway in Doha. Optimism that emerged last week has diminished, with both sides blaming each other for the lack of progress.
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued a joint statement demanding an end to the war, a full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the reopening of crossings, and the commencement of reconstruction efforts.
A Hamas source indicated that the negotiations are entering a “critical and complex phase,” warning that Israel’s “intransigence” could lead to the collapse of the talks. The source highlighted that the main obstacle is Israel’s stance on “withdrawal maps.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened ministers on Sunday to discuss developments in the negotiations. In a video posted on Telegram, Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s core demands: the release of all hostages in Gaza, the destruction of Hamas, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
Controversial Relocation Plans
Netanyahu and his cabinet are also considering a plan to relocate hundreds of thousands of Gazans to the southern area of Rafah. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described it as a new “humanitarian city,” but the proposal is expected to face international criticism due to concerns over forced displacement.
International Reactions
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope for progress in the ongoing talks. “We are talking, and hopefully we’re going to get that straightened out over the next week,” he told reporters on Sunday, echoing optimistic sentiments from earlier discussions.
