Israel: ‘Malfunction’ to blame for fatal strike on children collecting water in Gaza

The Israeli military said Sunday a deadly strike near a water distribution site in Gaza was a result of a “technical malfunction” during an operation targeting an operative of the Islamic Jihad group, according to Israeli news outlets.

The strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in at least 10 deaths, including children, the Times of Israel reported.

“Earlier today a strike was carried out targeting a terrorist operative from the Islamic Jihad organization in the central Gaza Strip. Due to a technical malfunction in the munition, it struck dozens of meters away from the intended target,” the Israeli military said in a reported statement.

It said it was “aware of reports of casualties in the area as a result” and “the details of the incident are still being reviewed.”

The Israeli military said it targets enemy combatants and “makes every effort to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians.”

“The IDF regrets any harm caused to noncombatants,” it added.

Multiple U.S. and international outlets reported the strike occurred as children were collecting water at the distribution site. Al Jazeera reported seven children were killed.

Gaza's health ministry said this weekend that more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, with at least 32 people killed Sunday alone.