Israel: Hamas casualty figures ‘exaggerated,’ claims echoed uncritically by media

Israeli Defence Forces officials strongly disputed Hamas claims regarding civilian casualties near humanitarian aid distribution sites in southern Gaza, with IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin characterised the reports as “exaggerated” propaganda during a Tuesday night press conference.

“Hamas disseminates false information, which is unfortunately taken by some international media without verification,” Defrin said, specifically refuting claims about a Sunday incident in which Hamas claimed that 31 Palestinians were killed near a humanitarian aid distribution point near Rafah.

“This week, it was claimed that the IDF fired on civilians at the aid distribution site. This is a totally false report, it is echoing Hamas propaganda,” Defrin declared, adding that the Sunday incident “did not happen.” The IDF acknowledged firing warning shots at Palestinians approximately one kilometre from the aid site before distribution began, but dismissed claims that any firing occurred within the aid site during operational hours.

Regarding Tuesday’s incident, where the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported 27 Palestinian deaths, Defrin maintained that Hamas’s casualty figures were inflated. “The numbers given by Hamas were the same. It reported 29 on Sunday and today — exaggerated,” he said, noting similarities in the reported death tolls that raised questions about their accuracy.

Defrin explained the IDF’s actions during Tuesday’s incident, stating: “We fired warning shots toward a group of people who posed a threat to our forces, far from where they were supposed to be. Warning shots were fired, not to hit anyone.” He acknowledged that while people were reportedly hit, investigations were ongoing to determine what actually occurred.

The IDF spokesman emphasised that Israeli forces do not impede Palestinian access to aid distribution centres, asserting instead that “Hamas does.” He described recent incidents where “armed men in southern Khan Yunis opened fire and threw stones at Gazans in line to receive aid,” suggesting Hamas interference with humanitarian operations.

The IDF on Sunday denied allegations that its troops fired on civilians in Khan Yunis, citing a preliminary probe that found no Israeli gunfire in the area at the time. In response to reports accusing Israel of killing dozens near a U.S. aid site, the military released drone footage showing masked Palestinian gunmen firing at civilians. The IDF said the footage was captured during the alleged incident and reaffirmed that its forces were not responsible for the violence.

Defrin also defended the military’s investigation timeline, acknowledging criticism about the pace of inquiries but maintaining that accuracy takes precedence over speed. “We will not report information or details that are not true. Reliability is critical, even if it takes time,” Defrin insisted.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called Israel’s current aid distribution model “unacceptable” and demanded an immediate independent investigation into civilian casualties. Israel Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein accused the UN of deliberately ignoring Hamas’s role in blocking aid distribution.

“The real investigation that needs to be opened is why the U.N. continues to resist any attempt to provide aid directly to the people of Gaza,” Marmorstein tweeted. He criticised Guterres for failing to mention Hamas in his statement, noting the terror group’s efforts to intercept aid shipments.

The controversy centers around Israel’s decision to work with the U.S.-operated Global Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) rather than UN agencies. The GHF, which began operations May 27, operates independently with security provided by American military contractors and remote IDF monitoring. The foundation has distributed over 4.7 million meals to Gaza residents in its first six days of operation. The initiative bypasses Hamas’ efforts to seize and resell humanitarian aid.

At least 1,180 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 58 remaining hostages, 35 are believed to be dead.