Deadly Israeli Strikes on Gaza: Six Children Killed at Water Distribution Site

Photo: Stringer / Reuters

In the latest wave of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Sunday (13 July), at least 30 people, including 6 children, were killed. According to media reports, an Israeli missile strike hit a water distribution site in the Nuseirat refugee camp, where children had gathered to collect water.

The attack occurred as residents have become reliant on public water distribution centers due to severe water shortages caused by the shutdown of desalination and sewage treatment facilities.

The Israeli military responded by stating that the target of the strike was a member of the Islamic Jihad group, but the missile landed dozens of meters off target due to a “technical error.” Although the Israeli military expressed regret over civilian casualties, the strike has once again raised serious questions about the credibility and legality of Israel’s military actions in densely populated civilian areas.

Severe Humanitarian Crisis and Alarming Casualty Figures

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health on Sunday, the death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 has exceeded 58,000 people. In the past 24 hours alone, 139 more deaths have been reported. Thousands of women and children are among the victims of these attacks.

Gaza is now on the brink of a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe. More than two million people are facing extreme shortages of drinking water, food, and medicine, and international organizations have repeatedly warned of possible war crimes and a growing humanitarian crisis.

Ceasefire Negotiation Deadlock

While efforts continue in Qatar to reach a 60-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, negotiations remain stalled due to major disagreements over key terms, including the deployment of Israeli forces during the ceasefire.

Israel has stated that it will only stop the war if Hamas disarms and surrenders. However, Hamas demands a complete end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza before any release of hostages.