A devastating incident involving aid distribution in Rafah has left at least 21 people dead and dozens wounded, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The organization reported a “mass casualty influx” of 179 cases, with many suffering gunshot or shrapnel wounds. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which runs the aid distribution centre, denies any incident occurred near its site, blaming Hamas for spreading false reports.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim that their forces did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the aid centre, but released drone footage showing armed and masked men throwing stones and shooting at civilians. The IDF says that reports of Israeli gunfire targeting civilians are false.
The Gaza health ministry reported 31 dead and over 200 cases arrived at hospitals, including 79 injured brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Local journalists and activists shared footage of bodies and wounded people being transported on donkey carts to the Red Cross field hospital.
The incident highlights the dire humanitarian conditions in Rafah, where recent Israeli military operations have severely limited access to aid and emergency services. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been distributing food at designated sites across Gaza, but its claims of providing 4.7 million meals this week remain unverified by independent sources.
The situation on the ground remains unclear, with both sides accusing each other of spreading false information. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of conflict and the need for urgent humanitarian action in the region.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c991j01lym3o