Hamas reports more than 30 killed in gunfire at aid site in Gaza

Palestinian extremist group Hamas on Sunday said 30 people have been killed by Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip while looking to pick up aid at new humanitarian distribution centres run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Dozens of people were injured, according to Hamas, but the GHF swiftly denied the allegations.

"Our aid was again distributed today without incident," the foundation said in a statement, adding it was "aware of rumours being actively fomented by Hamas suggesting deaths and injuries today."

"They are untrue and fabricated," GHF said.

Since the start of the operation six days ago, a total of more than 4.7 million meals have been distributed to Gazans, according to the foundation.

According to the Hamas media office, Israeli troops fired shots during Sunday's relief operation organized by the newly established GHF at a distribution centre in Rafah, southern Gaza. In addition to the fatalities, more than 119 people were injured, it said.

The information cannot be independently verified.

The Israeli military said it was "currently unaware of injuries caused by IDF [Israel Defense Forces] fire within the humanitarian aid distribution site."

"The matter is still under review," the IDF said.

After a blockade of aid deliveries lasting several months, Israel has been allowing a small amount of goods into the sealed-off coastal strip for a few days.

According to the Israeli government, the GHF is to be responsible for distributing aid supplies to the population of Gaza in order to bypass UN aid organizations and other initiatives.

The UN has criticized the initiative, fearing it will lure the population to the few distribution centres and accelerate their expulsion from other residential areas.

There have been reports of looting and a storming of the new distribution centres in recent days. The GHF has repeatedly denied reports of deaths, large numbers of injuries and chaotic scenes at the centres.