IDF Attributes Civilian Casualties in Gaza to Technical Error

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced on July 13, 2025, that a recent airstrike in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of ten Palestinians including six children, was due to a 'technical error' in targeting. The military had intended to strike a militant from the Islamic Jihad. However, the missile deviated, landing 'dozens of metres from the target', according to IDF officials.

This tragic incident occurred while a group of individuals, comprising approximately 20 children and 14 adults, were at a water collection point. Ahmed Abu Saifan, an emergency physician at Al Awda Hospital, confirmed that the facility received ten bodies from the airstrike, underscoring the devastating impact on the local community.

The IDF has stated that it is conducting an internal review of the airstrike and reiterated its commitment to minimizing civilian casualties, expressing regret for any harm caused to uninvolved civilians. 'We work to mitigate harm to uninvolved civilians as much as possible,' a spokesperson noted.

Eyewitness accounts from local residents, such as Ramadan Nassar, revealed that the attack occurred at a time when many were queuing for water, exacerbating the human toll. 'When the strike occurred, everyone ran, and some, including those who were severely injured, fell to the ground,' Nassar recounted.

The airstrike is part of a larger military operation by the IDF, which has claimed to have targeted over 150 sites in Gaza over a 24-hour period. This escalation follows the initiation of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, resulting in about 1,200 fatalities and approximately 250 hostages taken. Since the onset of conflict, Gaza’s health ministry has reported over 58,000 Palestinian deaths, with more than half being women and children, although these figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

The international community has reacted with alarm to the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Calls for accountability and an urgent need for humanitarian assistance are intensifying. Dr. Sarah Johnson, a Professor of International Relations at Stanford University, stated, 'The continuation of civilian casualties raises significant ethical and legal questions about the conduct of military operations in densely populated areas.'

Moreover, the current situation has prompted numerous international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Red Cross, to emphasize the necessity of protecting civilians amidst armed conflict. A representative from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that 'the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, and striking civilian infrastructure such as water collection points exacerbates this crisis.'

In light of the recent events, diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire continue, albeit with challenges. U.S. President Donald Trump has been involved in negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages and establishing a temporary truce. However, progress remains stalled with new disputes arising over the deployment of Israeli troops during any prospective ceasefire. The humanitarian implications of the ongoing conflict, especially regarding the protection of non-combatants, remain a pressing concern for local and international stakeholders.