Israel has accused Hamas of firing at Palestinian civilians assembled to receive humanitarian aid in Rafah, southern Gaza, amid competing narratives over an incident that left at least 31 people dead and scores injured. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday released aerial footage which it claims shows Hamas gunmen opening fire on the crowd at the aid site.
The IDF asserted that the deaths were the result of Hamas attempts to disrupt food distribution, stating, “Drone footage shows gunmen in Gaza shooting at civilians going to collect aid. Hamas is doing everything in its power to prevent the successful distribution of food in Gaza.”
The footage was shared hours after the Gaza Health Ministry said the fatalities occurred when Israeli troops opened fire near the distribution centre, operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a relief organisation backed by both the United States and Israel. According to the ministry, over 200 people sustained injuries, with many shot in the head or chest.
A paramedic from the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), cited by CNN as the sole medical responder present at the time, supported claims that Israeli forces had opened fire. A medical official quoted by the broadcaster added that although it was unclear who fired the shots, the area was under Israeli military control. “Whether they shoot or others who are working for them, it is still their responsibility,” the official said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, which operates a field hospital in Rafah, described the event as “the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago.”
Despite these accounts, the IDF categorically denied any involvement in the killings, stating that no Israeli forces fired “near or within” the distribution site and branding the allegations “false reports.” It urged the media to exercise caution when reporting claims originating from Hamas.
An Israeli military source acknowledged that warning shots were fired at suspects approaching a military position roughly a kilometre from the aid site, several hours prior to its opening, but insisted the event was unrelated.
Also read: Israeli forces accused of firing at aid seekers, 30 dead in Gaza
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attempted to counter claims against Israel by posting a video of the site at the time the alleged attack occurred. “Nothing. No shooting. Everything going well. 100% fake. The headline is simply a LIE,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), calling the incident a smear campaign.
Meanwhile, Guy Nir, spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, cited a press release by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which dismissed reports of gunfire. “Our aid was again distributed today without incident. (Note: We are aware of rumours being actively fomented by Hamas suggesting deaths and injuries today. They are untrue and fabricated),” the statement read.
Conversely, Hamas denounced the incident as a “new massacre against hungry civilians,” describing aid centres as “mass death traps, not humanitarian relief points.” A local journalist informed that Israeli tanks fired early in the morning as thousands assembled at the centre. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported recovering 23 bodies and treating an equal number of injured individuals.
The deadly episode coincided with diplomatic manoeuvres over a US-backed ceasefire proposal. A senior Hamas official termed the group’s response “positive and responsible,” though the US envoy Steve Witkoff dismissed it as “totally unacceptable.”
Hamas has reiterated its long-standing demands for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip—conditions that have repeatedly stalled negotiations.
In response, Israel issued a stern ultimatum, warning Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal and release hostages or face “annihilation.”
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