Hamas Reports 31 Killed Near Gaza Aid Hub, IDF Denies Casualties

Reports emerged of at least 31 Palestinians killed and dozens wounded near a humanitarian aid distribution site in Rafah, Gaza, with witnesses and Hamas authorities attributing the casualties to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) gunfire outside the aid site. The IDF, however, stated it was unaware of any injuries caused by its troops within the distribution site and emphasized that the incident was under review, neither confirming nor denying gunfire occurred nearby. The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which manages the aid distribution, denied any shootings or casualties at the site, releasing footage purportedly showing no violence and describing the reports as fabricated. Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also condemned the media reports as false, asserting no gunfire was directed at the aid centers. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources and media reported Israeli forces barred ambulance access to the Rafah site, complicating emergency response efforts. The conflicting accounts reflect ongoing tensions and challenges in verifying events amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.