Israeli strikes kill seven in Gaza as water repair project stalls
Emergency services report casualties in Gaza City and Khan Yunis while UNICEF warns of flooding risks due to blocked equipment imports.
By Lauren Foster ·
Seven people died in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, including a 13-year-old boy, according to local emergency services. The Hamas-run Civil Defense agency identified the victims and specified the locations of the strikes across the territory.
In Gaza City, a strike on the Zaytoun neighborhood killed the boy and his father. Separately, three individuals were killed in an attack on a metal workshop in the Sabra neighborhood. A sixth person died in a strike targeting a tent housing displaced residents. A seventh victim was killed by fire near Khan Yunis in the southern part of the strip.
Hospitals that received the bodies confirmed the casualty counts. The Israeli military stated it had struck terror operatives in several areas but did not provide additional details. Israel and Hamas have recently accused one another of violating the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025. Hamas figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their tallies.
Water infrastructure issues compounded the crisis. UNICEF reported that Israel rejected the import of equipment needed to repair a water basin in Gaza City. The agency warned that the facility, now contaminated with sewage, could overflow and cause flooding and disease.
James Elder of UNICEF said the agency had spent a year working with Israeli authorities and President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on a $3 million repair plan for the Sheikh Radwan stormwater basin. COGAT, the Israeli military agency overseeing humanitarian affairs, rejected the project in the past few days. Elder told reporters in Geneva that the rejection left the agency baffled.
"Toxic sewage could flow into the streets and tents of Gaza City, forcing children and families from their makeshift homes once more, and grossly increasing the threat of disease," Elder said. He urged for rehabilitation before the situation becomes another preventable killer of girls and boys in Gaza. COGAT did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton visited aid facilities on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Crossing. Hamilton toured logistics warehouses operated by the Egyptian Red Crescent and greeted aid workers at the crossing. Khaled Megawer, the governor of North Sinai, said the visit was intended to show Hamilton Egypt’s efforts to send aid to Gaza. The trip occurred after Hamilton completed his 400th race start at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday.
