The Israeli army admitted to blowing up the central drinking water tank in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, claiming that this was not done with the approval of a high-level leadership, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

The newspaper said on Monday: "The Israeli army is investigating a suspected violation of international law, following the bombing of a drinking water tank in Rafah by a force operating in the area."

It added: "The force of the 401st Armored Brigade blew up the central tank last week with the approval of the brigade commanders, but without obtaining approval from the senior level in the Southern Command" of the Israeli army.

It pointed out that "one of the soldiers posted a recording of the explosion on social media," accompanied by the comment: "Destruction of the Tel al-Sultan water tank on the occasion of Saturday (July 20th)."

It said, "At the end of the initial investigation, a decision will be made regarding opening an investigation by the Military Investigative Police."

The water tank, which was blown up with explosive devices, is located in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood, most of which has not been evacuated by the army, according to the newspaper.

The newspaper said: "The neighborhood is located northwest of Rafah city, near the humanitarian areas that the army has designated as safe for residence."

On Monday, the municipality of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip considered the Israeli army’s bombing of the main water tank in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood west of the city a crime against humanity, warning of the worsening crisis of drinking water availability.

The mayor, Ahmed al-Sufi, said in a statement received by Anadolu Agency: "The occupation soldiers' bombing of the main water tank in Tel al-Sultan is a crime against humanity and an continuation of the policy of collective punishment."

He continued: "Destroying the water tank will exacerbate the crisis in the city, and we appeal to international bodies to intervene to stop the occupation's crimes."