The incident: A Scene of Chaos and Contradiction

A chaotic scene unfolded near an aid distribution center in Rafah, southern Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties. According to the Hamas-run health ministry and medics, 31 people were killed and more than 150 injured.Medical staff at Nasser Hospital reported treating patients with gunshot wounds, painting a grim picture of the aftermath.

Conflicting Accounts: Who is Responsible?

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement indicating they were “currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within” the aid site, adding that “the matter is still under review.” This statement stands in stark contrast to the reports from Gaza’s health ministry and medical personnel.

Adding another layer of complexity, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the aid center, has dismissed the reports as “false” and claims they were spread by Hamas. The GHF maintains that it distributed 16 truckloads of food on Sunday morning “without incident,” asserting there were “no injuries or fatalities.”

We have heard that these fake reports have been actively fomented by Hamas. They are untrue and fabricated.

Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

Eyewitness accounts and Visual Evidence

Despite the GHF’s denial, local journalists and activists have shared footage depicting bodies and wounded individuals being transported on donkey carts to the Red Cross field hospital in the al-Mawasi area. The BBC is currently examining footage showing bodies being carried on carts and in the back of lorries to Nasser Hospital, seeking to verify the authenticity and context of these images.

Hospital Overwhelmed: Testimonies from Medical Staff

Gaza’s health ministry reported that over 200 cases, including the 31 fatalities, had arrived at hospitals.Medical staff from the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, working at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, reported that 79 of the injured were brought there. According to the charity’s staff, those killed and injured “were primarily struck by live gunfire, with many victims sustaining direct shots to the head or chest.”

Victoria Rose, a British surgeon working at Nasser Hospital, recorded a video mid-morning, stating, “all the bays are full and they’re all gunshot wounds,” while gesturing to the beds filled with patients.

Journalist’s Perspective: Tanks and Gunfire

Mohammed Ghareeb, a journalist in Rafah, told the BBC that Palestinians had gathered near the aid center run by the GHF when Israeli tanks approached and opened fire on the crowd. Mr. Ghareeb stated that the crowd of Palestinians were near Al-Alam roundabout around 04:30 local time (02:30 BST), close to the aid center, shortly before Israeli tanks appeared and opened fire.

The dead and wounded lay on the ground for a long time. Rescue crews could not access the area, which is under Israeli control.This forced residents to use donkey carts to transport victims to the field hospital.

Mohammed Ghareeb,Journalist in Rafah

Civil Defense Report: Gunfire from Israeli Vehicles

mahmud Bassal,a spokesman for Gaza’s main emergency service,the Civil Defense,told AFP news agency that more than 100 people were wounded “due to gunfire from israeli vehicles towards thousands of citizens.”

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The incident underscores the dire humanitarian conditions in Rafah, where recent Israeli military operations have severely limited access to aid and emergency services. The World Food Program reported that crowds of civilians rushed aid trucks in Gaza on Saturday, highlighting the hunger and desperation fueling chaotic scenes.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is described as a new US and Israel-backed organization that has been distributing food at designated sites across Gaza. Israel established this plan after accusing Hamas of stealing aid, an accusation the group denies. The GHF claims to have distributed 4.7 million meals this week, a figure the BBC has not been able to independently verify.

Ceasefire Efforts and sticking Points

This tragedy occurs as the U.S. attempts to broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Hamas responded to the U.S. ceasefire proposal on Saturday, stating it is indeed prepared to release 10 living Israeli hostages and 18 dead hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners.

Though, Hamas reiterated its demands for a permanent truce, a complete Israeli withdrawal from gaza, and guarantees for the continuous flow of humanitarian aid, none of which are included in the current deal.Hamas stated it had submitted its response to the U.S.draft proposed by Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East.

Witkoff described the proposal as “unacceptable and only takes us backward” and insisted the U.S. deal was “the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days.”