The UN Secretary-General has demanded an independent investigation into the deaths of Palestinians near a Gaza aid distribution center on Sunday, following conflicting reports about Israeli forces opening fire. Eyewitnesses claim they were shot at while waiting for food at a Rafah facility operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
The Red Cross reported treating 179 casualties, with 21 fatalities. The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported a higher death toll of 31.
The Israeli military denied that its troops fired upon civilians near or at the site, dismissing reports as false. The GHF similarly labeled the reports as “outright fabrications,” stating a lack of evidence supporting an attack near their facility.
Verification challenges exist due to Israel’s restriction on international media access to Gaza.
In a Monday statement, UN Secretary-General Guterres expressed outrage at the reported killings and injuries, calling for a swift, independent investigation and accountability for those responsible. Israel’s foreign ministry countered this statement on X, labeling it a “disgrace” and criticizing the omission of Hamas.
The Civil Defence detailed 31 fatalities and 176 injuries following alleged Israeli gunfire targeting thousands of civilians near the aid center. The ICRC confirmed a mass casualty influx at its Rafah hospital, with 179 patients, including women and children, predominantly suffering gunshot or shrapnel wounds; 21 died on arrival. All patients reported attempting to reach the aid distribution site.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated severely injured patients at Nasser hospital, some critically, with reports of Israeli fire from various sources, including drones, helicopters, boats, tanks, and soldiers. One MSF staff member’s brother was reportedly killed while collecting aid.
A journalist in Rafah described Palestinians gathering near a roundabout when Israeli tanks reportedly opened fire. While a video purportedly shows Palestinians under fire, the BBC couldn’t verify the location due to insufficient visual context.
The IDF’s initial inquiry concluded that its troops did not fire on civilians near the aid distribution site. Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin accused Hamas of spreading false narratives to prevent Gazans from accessing aid, releasing drone footage purportedly showing armed men firing at civilians—though its authenticity and location remain unverified by the BBC.
An Israeli military official later stated that soldiers acted to prevent suspects from approaching forces about 1km from the GHF site prior to its opening, firing warning shots. The official denied any connection between this incident and the accusations against the IDF.
The GHF strongly refuted the reports as fabrications, stating there were no injuries or incidents during their operations. US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, accused major news outlets of reckless reporting, asserting that reports were solely sourced from Hamas and intended to incite antisemitic hatred.
Further reports emerged on Monday of three more Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near the GHF center. The Red Cross confirmed receiving 50 wounded, two fatally, while Nasser hospital received another body. The Israeli military acknowledged warning shots fired towards suspects near the site, stating a thorough investigation is underway.
The Civil Defence also reported 14 deaths, including children and women, from an Israeli strike on a Jabalia house, with over 20 missing under the rubble. The IDF confirmed striking numerous targets across Gaza, including military structures, tunnels, and weapons stores, but did not immediately comment on the Jabalia incident.
Following Hamas’s October 7th cross-border attack, Israel re-imposed a blockade on Gaza and resumed its military offensive, ending a two-month ceasefire. The stated aim is to pressure Hamas to release hostages. On May 19th, Israel launched an expanded offensive aiming for control of Gaza’s areas, temporarily easing the blockade for basic food supplies.
Since October 7th, at least 54,470 people have died in Gaza, including 4,201 since Israel’s offensive resumed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Early Sunday morning events in Rafah, during aid distribution, resulted in casualties prompting international concern.
The response to a proposed aid plan is considered neither fully accepting nor rejecting, prompting criticism from US envoy Steve Witkoff.
The initial week of the new aid plan, crucial for preventing starvation in Gaza, faced significant logistical challenges and disruptions.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, highlights the obstruction of food deliveries at the border.
The US claims Israel has approved envoy Steve Witkoff’s plan, pending official confirmation from Hamas.