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'A deadly incident near a Gaza aid distribution centre has triggered international outrage and conflicting narratives, prompting UN Secretary-General António Guterres to call for an immediate, independent investigation. The incident, which occurred early Sunday in Rafah, reportedly left dozens dead and scores injured, casting a shadow over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
Eyewitnesses claim Israeli drones and tanks opened fire on a crowd waiting for food aid at the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) site. According to the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, 31 people were killed and at least 176 wounded. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported receiving 179 casualties at its Rafah field hospital, with 21 pronounced dead on arrival.
Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières confirmed that their teams treated multiple critical injuries at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. One MSF staff member lost a relative during the chaos. "People were shot from all directions," the organization stated, referencing drones, helicopters, and ground forces.
In stark contrast, the Israeli military firmly denied responsibility. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated their troops "did not fire at civilians" and accused Hamas of fabricating events to discredit the humanitarian effort. "Warning shots were fired at suspects posing a threat, one kilometre from the site," a senior Israeli official clarified.
The GHF echoed Israel's dismissal, calling the reports "outright fabrications" and asserting that "no fatalities or incidents occurred during our operations." U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also condemned global media coverage as "reckless," accusing major outlets of amplifying misinformation sourced solely from Hamas.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk, however, expressed sharp criticism of current aid delivery methods, calling them "unacceptable" and "dehumanising." He told the BBC, "These people have waited months for food, only to be met with gunfire. It reflects a grotesque disregard for civilian life."
On Monday, another round of violence was reported in Rafah's Tal al-Sultan area, leaving three Palestinians dead and dozens more injured. Local hospitals once again received patients with gunshot and shrapnel wounds. Photos captured by AFP showed bloodied civilians and chaotic scenes near the aid site.
As accusations swirl and evidence remains unverifiable due to restricted media access in Gaza, the international community is demanding answers. "The loss of life under these circumstances is intolerable," said Guterres. "Accountability must follow transparency—no matter the outcome."
