Israel
IDF strike on medical centre ‘under review’ after civilian casualties
The military said it was targeting a terrorist involved in the October 7 attacks, but several children are also believed to have died
July 11, 2025 10:42
The military said it was targeting a terrorist involved in the October 7 attacks, but several children are also believed to have died
July 11, 2025 10:42The IDF has confirmed it is reviewing an air strike on a medical centre in Gaza yesterday following reports that children had been killed.
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah reported, operated by US-based NGO Project Hope, reported that 15 people, including eight children, had died in the attack – though these figures have not been confirmed by the military or independently verified.
Eyewitness suggest that those killed were queuing for nutritional supplements at the centre when it was hit.
Yousef al-Aydi, who witnessed the strike, told AFP: “Suddenly, we heard the sound of a drone approaching, and then the explosion happened.
"The ground shook beneath our feet, and everything around us turned into blood and deafening screams.”
Confirming a “review” of the incident, an IDF spokesperson said: “On Thursday, the IDF struck a Nukhba terrorist in the Hamas terrorist organisation who infiltrated Israel during the brutal October 7th massacre, in the Deir al-Balah area of central Gaza.
“The IDF is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals in the area. The incident is under review.
“The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to minimise harm as much as possible.”
However, the strike has attracted significant international criticism.
Project Hope called it a “blatant violation of international humanitarian law”.
A spokesperson for the organisation added: “[This is] a stark reminder that no-one and no place is safe in Gaza, even as ceasefire talks continue. This cannot continue."
It comes as ceasefire negotiations in Doha are reported to have stalled.
The two sides are understood to be aligned on the terms of a 60-day truce and associated hostage deal, which will see just over half of the remaining captives (both dead and alive) in Gaza returned.
However, disagreements reportedly remain over the extent of IDF withdrawals from the Strip, while Hamas is apparently unwilling to accept any agreement that doesn’t include a commitment from Jerusalem not to resume the war once it expires.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, though, appeared to rule out such a concession in a video address following his return from a trip to Washington.
While expressing confidence that a deal may be announced “in a few days”, he said: "At the beginning of this ceasefire, negotiations will be entered into to end the war permanently. That is, a permanent ceasefire.
"In order for us to achieve this, this must be done under the minimum conditions that we have set: Hamas lays down its weapons, Gaza is demilitarised, Hamas no longer has any governmental or military capabilities. These are our basic conditions.
"If this can be achieved through negotiations – that’s great. If it is not achieved through negotiations in 60 days, we will achieve it in other ways; by using force, the force of our heroic army.”
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