- Israeli airstrike targeted a water distribution point in central Gaza
- Several children reportedly killed in the attack
- 139 deaths recorded in 24 hours, the highest daily toll since July 2
Several children were among those killed in an Israeli airstrike on a water distribution point in central Gaza on Sunday, according to health officials — one of many deadly incidents amid faltering ceasefire negotiations in Doha.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 139 bodies were recovered in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day toll since July 2, raising the death toll since October 7, 2023, to 58,026.
Among the casualties were six children and four adults killed at a water distribution point. Al-Awda Hospital confirmed the strike, and footage showed the aftermath scattered with water containers and victims. The Israeli military later admitted the strike had misfired, with the munition missing its intended target — an alleged Islamic Jihad member — by dozens of meters.
Elsewhere in central Gaza, 12 people, including respected physician Dr. Ahmad Qandeel, were killed in another Israeli airstrike at a crowded junction. Over 40 others were injured.
UNRWA’s acting director, Sam Rose, described Gaza’s humanitarian conditions as “worse than ever,” saying people face impossible choices between starvation and risking death for aid.
On Saturday, 27 people were reportedly killed when Israeli forces opened fire near a southern Rafah aid site run by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). GHF denied any such incident occurred at or near its facilities. The Israeli military also denied involvement but continues to investigate.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its field hospital received 132 wounded patients that day, 31 of whom died — the highest toll since it began operations in May 2024. The UN Human Rights Office estimates nearly 800 Palestinians have died trying to access aid since late May.
In northern Gaza, 13 more people were killed Saturday in an airstrike on Al-Shati refugee camp, according to Al-Shifa Hospital officials. Video confirmed that at least one child was among the dead.
The Israel Defense Forces stated Sunday it struck over 150 targets in Gaza, including weapons depots, tunnels, and sniper positions used by Hamas.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks in Doha have stalled. Key disagreements center around Israeli military redeployment within Gaza under any truce. A senior Hamas official accused Israel of adding new demands, including fresh maps of troop locations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel accepted the latest ceasefire proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, blaming Hamas for rejecting it. “Hamas wants to remain in Gaza so it can rearm and attack us again,” Netanyahu claimed, reiterating his goals: returning the hostages and eliminating Hamas.
However, Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum accused Netanyahu of misleading the public and obstructing a deal for political reasons, warning history would judge him harshly. A new poll by Channel 12 found 74% of Israelis support ending the war immediately in exchange for the return of all hostages.
