Red Cross says at least 21 killed and dozens shot in Gaza aid incident

A mass casualty incident occurred in southern Gaza, with at least 21 people declared dead and 179 injured, many suffering gunshot or shrapnel wounds, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The injuries followed disputed reports of violence near an aid distribution center in Rafah. The Hamas-run civil defense agency blamed Israeli forces for shooting civilians, while Israel’s military denied firing at the crowd and shared drone footage showing armed men attacking people collecting aid. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which operates the aid site, also denied any incident occurred. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported the blood bank at Nasser Hospital was nearly empty and described the situation as dire. Gaza’s health ministry reported over 200 injuries and at least 31 deaths, the BBC has reported. Conflicting accounts and limited access for journalists have made verifying details difficult, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens amid ongoing conflict.