The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. At least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages there are believed to still be alive.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had intended to hit an Islamic Jihad militant but a "technical error" had caused the missile to fall "dozens of metres from the target".

The strike was intended for a PIJ target, but misfired and hit a water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp.