UN Urges Probe into Deadly Incident near Gaza Aid Site

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has demanded an independent investigation into a deadly incident near an aid distribution center in Rafah, southern Gaza, where at least 31 Palestinians were reportedly killed and 176 injured. Gaza’s civil defense said Israeli gunfire was responsible, and images from AFP showed civilians transporting bodies, while hospitals struggled to treat gunshot victims.

The Israeli military has denied involvement, stating its forces did not shoot at civilians in or near the area. Both the military and the administrator of the aid site, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), blamed Hamas for spreading misinformation. Guterres, although not assigning blame, expressed outrage at civilians being killed while seeking food, calling the situation "unacceptable" and demanding accountability.

Israel and the GHF have recently launched a new aid distribution method that bypasses the traditional UN-led framework. However, the UN has refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns over its neutrality and alleged alignment with Israeli military aims.

Eyewitnesses in Rafah described horrifying scenes. Sameh Hamuda said that as people approached the aid site, drones and tanks opened fire. Another witness, Abdullah Barbakh, confirmed the same account. The Israeli military responded that preliminary investigations showed no fire was directed at civilians. Army spokesman Effie Defrin accused Hamas of attempting to hinder aid distribution and promised to investigate all claims thoroughly.

GHF also denied any casualties, calling the reports "fabricated" by Hamas. International pressure on Israel is mounting over Gaza's humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a prolonged aid blockade, now partially lifted. The UN has warned that Gaza’s population faces imminent famine, with recent reports of looting and lawlessness further complicating aid efforts.

Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations remain stalled. Hamas says it's willing to resume indirect talks to resolve outstanding issues, but Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered continued military operations regardless of diplomatic progress. Since March, Israeli attacks have intensified, including a recent strike that killed 14 people six of them children according to Gaza civil defense officials.

The conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel, has left more than 54,000 dead in Gaza, the majority civilians, with 4,201 killed since the Israeli offensive resumed in March.