UN chief calls for ‘independent’ investigation after Gaza aid deaths

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Monday for an independent investigation into the deaths of at least 31 Palestinians near a US-backed aid distribution site in Gaza, after rescuers blamed the deaths on Israeli gunfire.

“I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food,” Guterres said in a statement. “I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable.”

Gaza’s civil defense agency said Israeli gunfire killed at least 31 people and wounded 176 near the aid distribution site in the southern city of Rafah, with AFP photos showing civilians at the scene carting away bodies and medics at nearby hospitals reporting a deluge of gunshot wound victims.

The Israeli military, however, denied its troops had fired on civilians in or around the center, and both it and the aid site’s administrator accused Hamas of sowing false rumors.

The Israeli government has cooperated with the group running the site, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to introduce a new mechanism for distributing aid in Gaza that has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system.

The UN has declined to work with the group out of concerns about its neutrality, with some aid agencies saying it appears designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.

Following the reports, the Israeli army said an initial inquiry found its troops “did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site.”

Army spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video message that “Hamas is doing its best, its utmost, to stop us from” distributing aid, and vowed to “investigate each one of those allegations” against Israeli troops.

“I urge you not to believe every rumor spread by Hamas,” he added.

GHF also denied any deaths or injuries took place, adding that “these fake reports have been actively fomented by Hamas.”

Israel has come under increasing international pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza following a more than two-month blockade on aid that was only recently eased.

The UN has warned the entire population of the territory is facing the risk of famine.

It has also reported recent incidents of aid being looted, including by armed individuals.

With AFP