Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least 31 people were killed and many more wounded, which it blamed on “Israeli gunfire” targeting civilians in Rafah.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its hospital in Rafah received “a mass casualty influx” of people early in the morning on Sunday. It said 21 people were “declared dead upon arrival”. It is unclear if the number of people killed reported by the ICRC is separate to the Gaza authorities’ report.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its findings from an initial inquiry showed its forces had not fired at people while they were near or within the aid centre. The Israeli military said in a statement that “warning shots were fired toward several suspects who advanced toward” troops approximately 1km from the site.