UN Demands Independent Probe Into Deadly Incident Near Gaza Aid Centre

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate and independent investigation into the reported killing of Palestinians near an aid distribution centre in Rafah, Gaza, on Sunday. The call comes amid sharply conflicting accounts from eyewitnesses, medical organisations, and the Israeli military about the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident, BBC reported.

The Gaza-based Civil Defence agency, which is run by Hamas, said at least 31 people were killed and 176 others wounded after Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on civilians gathered near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid centre, a US- and Israeli-backed facility. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, including women and children, with 21 declared dead upon arrival, the BBC report said.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with people “shot at from all sides” by what they believed were Israeli drones, helicopters, boats, and tanks as they waited for aid. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said its teams at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis also treated several critically injured patients, some of whom reported being targeted while trying to collect food.

BBC reported that the violence unfolded near the al-Alam roundabout, close to the GHF site, as crowds gathered and Israeli tanks approached. Social media footage purportedly showing the attack has circulated online, but the BBC said it was unable to verify the location or date due to limited identifiable landmarks in the footage.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strongly denied that its troops fired at civilians, calling the reports “false.” In a statement, the IDF said an initial inquiry found “no connection between the incident in question and the IDF” and that warning shots were only fired to deter a group of “suspects” approaching Israeli soldiers nearly a kilometre from the aid centre.

IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin blamed Hamas for “spreading rumours” and attempting to disrupt aid operations, and claimed the group seeks to stop Gazans from accessing international assistance. The IDF also released drone footage allegedly showing armed men firing at civilians, but the authenticity and context of the video could not be independently verified.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates the aid site, described reports of fatalities near its facility as “outright fabrications.” In a statement on Monday, the GHF said: “There were no injuries, fatalities or incidents during our operations yesterday. Period. We have yet to see any evidence that there was an attack at or near our facility.”

UN Secretary-General Guterres, however, voiced serious concern. “I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday,” he said. “I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable.”

In response, Israel’s foreign ministry condemned Guterres’ remarks as a “disgrace,” accusing him of ignoring Hamas’ role in ongoing hostilities and of bias in the face of “fabricated accusations.”