Gaza Rescuers Report 31 Deaths Near Aid Site, Israel Rejects Responsibility

 On May 31, 2025, Palestinian rescuers reported that 31 people, including civilians and aid workers, were killed in an attack near an aid distribution site in northern Gaza’s Jabalia area, amid ongoing hostilities.

The Gaza Health Ministry stated the victims were gathered to receive food and water when the site was struck, with 47 others injured, many critically. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with bodies scattered among debris and survivors fleeing shelling. The ministry accused Israeli forces of targeting the crowd, alleging the attack was deliberate to disrupt humanitarian efforts. The incident has raised the Palestinian death toll in Gaza to over 45,000 since October 2023, with 107,000 injuries reported.

Israel’s military denied involvement, asserting no operations occurred in the area at the time and suggesting the deaths resulted from an internal explosion or misfired Palestinian rocket. An IDF spokesperson called for an independent investigation, citing similar incidents where Hamas munitions caused civilian casualties.

The United Nations, unable to verify either claim due to restricted access, condemned the loss of life and reiterated calls for a ceasefire. The Rafah crossing’s recent reopening has allowed limited aid, with 100 trucks entering daily, but distribution remains hampered by fighting and road restrictions. The attack has intensified global criticism of Israel’s blockade, with Egypt and Qatar mediating talks to restore aid flows. Families of the victims, including a 22-year-old volunteer, mourned at Al-Aqsa Hospital, highlighting Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis, where 90% of residents face acute food insecurity.