Israeli strike on Gaza aid delivery point kills at least 31

UN official calls aid distribution 'death trap'; Israeli military says it is unaware of injuries

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CAIRO - An Israeli strike on an aid distribution point run by a US-based group killed at least 31 people in Gaza on June 1, local health authorities said, as Hamas and Israel exchanged blame over a faltering effort to secure a ceasefire.

The incident in Rafah in the south of the enclave was the latest in a series highlighting the volatile security situation complicating aid delivery to Gaza, following the easing of an almost three-month Israeli blockade in May.

"There are martyrs and injuries. Many injuries. It is a tragic situation in this place. I advise them that nobody goes to aid delivery points. Enough," paramedic Abu Tareq said at Nasser Hospital in nearby Khan Younis city.

The Palestinian Red Crescent, affiliated with the International Red Cross, said its medical teams recovered the bodies of 23 Palestinians and treated another 23 injured near an aid collection site in Rafah.

Local health authorities said at least 31 bodies had so far arrived at Nasser Hospital.

The US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) operates the aid distribution sites in Rafah.

Israel's military said in a statement it was looking into reports that Palestinians were shot at an aid distribution site but that it was unaware of injuries caused by military fire.