Gaza strikes kill seven; UNICEF says Israel blocked water repair plan
UNICEF warns sewage could overflow into Gaza City streets after COGAT rejected a $3 million project, while Lewis Hamilton toured aid hubs in Egypt.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
Local emergency services in Gaza confirmed that seven people died in Israeli military strikes on Tuesday. The Hamas-run Civil Defense agency identified the victims, including a 13-year-old boy whose father was also killed in the Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza City.
Three other residents died when Israeli forces hit a metal workshop in the Sabra district. A sixth person was killed in a strike on a tent housing displaced residents. A seventh death was reported near Khan Yunis in the southern part of the territory. Hospitals receiving the bodies verified the casualty counts.
The Israeli military stated that it targeted terror operatives in several areas. It did not provide further details on the specific locations or the nature of the targets. Both Israel and Hamas have accused the other of breaking the ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025. That truce followed two years of war that started with the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Hamas officials often report total casualty figures without separating civilians from combatants.
UNICEF reported that Israeli authorities rejected the import of equipment needed to fix a damaged water basin. James Elder, a UNICEF spokesperson, said the agency had negotiated with Israeli officials and the Board of Peace for one year on a repair plan worth three million dollars. The military agency COGAT, which oversees humanitarian affairs in Gaza, rejected the project in recent days.
Elder said the Sheikh Radwan stormwater basin in Gaza City is currently filled with contaminated sewage. He warned that heavy rainfall could cause the basin to overflow. If the water spills, toxic sewage would flow into the streets and tents of the city. Elder said this would force families out of their makeshift homes and increase the risk of disease. He described the decision as confusing because the repair would have prevented a preventable cause of death for children.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, arrived in Rafah, Egypt, on Tuesday to visit aid organizations. He toured the border crossing and warehouses operated by the Egyptian Red Crescent. Khaled Megawer, the governor of North Sinai, said the visit was intended to show Hamilton Egypt's logistical efforts to send supplies to the strip.
Hamilton made the trip after completing his 400th race start at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Sunday. He is the second driver in history to reach that milestone, following Fernando Alonso. Hamilton has spoken publicly about humanitarian crises in the region and expressed hope for freedom in Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Congo.
