JERUSALEM, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Saturday that it is investigating an incident of shooting at Palestinians in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip, overnight.
Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported earlier that at least 25 Palestinians were killed, and more than 70 others injured after Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of civilians gathering near a food aid distribution center operated by a U.S.-Israeli company in the north of the city.
The IDF, however, stated that its troops opened fire after identifying suspects who approached them during operational activity in the Rafah area, claiming they posed a threat. It added that the shooting occurred about one kilometer from the aid distribution site, which, the IDF said, was not active at the time.
"The IDF is aware of reports regarding casualties. The incident is under review," the Israeli army's statement read. ■
