Children killed collecting water in Gaza, medical officials say, as ceasefire talks hit sticking points

At least six children died Sunday after an Israeli airstrike hit a water distribution point in central Gaza, according to local health officials. The strike, one of the deadliest in weeks, comes as ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas stall in Doha.

Al-Awda Hospital reported that the airstrike killed 10 people in total. Footage from the scene showed bloodied water containers and children lying lifeless. The Israeli military admitted the strike had missed its target, calling it an accident. “The munition fell dozens of meters from the target,” the army said in a statement. They are now reviewing the incident.

On the same day, another airstrike killed 12 people and injured 40 at a crowded junction in central Gaza. Among the dead was Dr. Ahmad Qandeel, described by the Health Ministry as “one of Gaza’s most respected medical professionals.”

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 139 bodies were recovered in the past 24 hours, the highest death toll since July 2. The total number of Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, has now reached 58,026.

Sam Rose, acting director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, told CNN that conditions in Gaza have become dire. “There’s a certain tragic and numbing inevitability about this,” he said. “The longer it goes on, the worse it will get.”

Palestinians are now forced to choose between starvation and risking death to get aid. “These are impossible choices,” Rose added.

On Saturday, Israeli troops allegedly opened fire near a US-backed aid site in Rafah, killing 27 and injuring many more. However, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) denied that any incident occurred near their facility.

The Israeli military also denied firing into the area but said it was still reviewing reports. Despite the denial, the Red Cross said its nearby field hospital received 132 patients with weapon-related injuries. Thirty-one people died, including six after arriving at the hospital. “This situation is unacceptable,” the International Committee of the Red Cross stated. “These mass casualty incidents reflect horrific conditions for civilians in Gaza.”

From late May through July 7, nearly 800 Palestinians died while trying to reach humanitarian aid, according to the UN human rights office.

Saturday’s violence also extended to the Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza. Thirteen people were killed there, including children. Another 40 were injured.

The Israeli military claimed its air force hit more than 150 targets across Gaza over the weekend. Targets included weapons depots, tunnels, and sniper positions.

Despite mounting casualties, ceasefire talks in Doha have stalled. Negotiators have yet to agree on Israeli troop movements during a potential truce. “The talks have stalled,” a senior Hamas official told CNN. “Israel added new conditions,” including new deployment maps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for rejecting a proposed ceasefire. In a video message, he said, “We accepted the deal… Hamas rejected it.” He reaffirmed his goals: to return hostages and to destroy Hamas.

Netanyahu claimed Hamas wants to rearm and launch future attacks. “We must insist on the hostages’ release and the defeat of Hamas,” he said. “I won’t compromise on these missions.”

However, critics say Netanyahu is blocking peace for political reasons. Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused him of misleading the public. “Anyone who sabotages such an agreement is acting against the Israeli people,” they said in a statement. “That is how history will remember him.”

A new poll for Israel’s Channel 12 shows that 74% of Israelis support ending the war in exchange for the hostages’ release. Only 8% back the government’s phased approach.

As hope for peace dims, both sides remain locked in conflict, and Gaza’s civilians continue to pay the price.

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