Gaza authorities accuse Israel of killing at least 30 people near food aid site

Alsharq Tribune- Zainab Hussin 

Health authorities in the Gaza Strip say at least 30 people were killed in an Israeli attack near a food distribution site in southern Gaza on Sunday. Israel has denied the report.

A US-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has been distributing aid in Rafah. Gaza health authorities and media reports say Israeli forces opened fire near the site, killing at least 30 people and wounding more than 150 others.

The Israel Defense Forces said, "The IDF is currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF fire within the Humanitarian Aid distribution site."

The GHF said the "aid was distributed without incident." It said the reports of injuries and fatalities are completely false and fabricated.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that "aid distribution has become a death trap." He added that aid deliveries and distribution can be only carried out in Gaza through the United Nations.

Palestinian media reported that Israeli attacks in other parts of Gaza -- Khan Younis and Nuseirat -- also caused casualties on Sunday. Local health authorities say the death toll has risen to 54,418 since the conflict began in October 2023.

There have been no clear signs of an agreement in the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.