IDF fired at Palestinians in Gaza near aid site, investigating incident, reported casualties

The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday fired at Palestinians in Gaza near a humanitarian aid site, an incident that the military said it is investigating, including looking into reported casualties.

"Earlier today, during the movement of the crowd along the designated routes toward the aid distribution site—approximately half a kilometer from the site—IDF troops identified several suspects moving toward them, deviating from the designated routes," the IDF posted on X on Tuesday. 

The post also states the troops carried out warning fire and that after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots in their direction as they advanced toward the troops. The IDF also said it's aware of reported casualties and is investignating.

"The IDF allows the American Civil Organization (GHF) to operate independently in order to enable the distribution of aid to the Gazan residents — and not to Hamas. IDF troops are not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites. The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometer away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops in such a way that posed a threat to them."

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said Tuesday morning that at least 27 people were killed, with more than 161 injured while awaiting aid at a designated site in Rafah, NBC News reported, adding that the outlet couldn't immediately verify the numbers.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S. and Israel-backed organization tasked with delivering aid, said Tuesday that “while the aid distribution was conducted safely and without incident at our site today, we understand that IDF is investigating whether a number of civilians were injured after moving beyond the designated safe corridor and into a closed military zone.”

“This was an area well beyond our secure distribution site and operations area,” the GHF added. “We recognize the difficult nature of the situation and advise all civilians to remain in the safe corridor when traveling to our distribution sites.”