The Israeli army has said that it “did not fire at civilians” within or around a US-backed aid centre in southern Gaza, hours after rescuers blamed Israeli fire for dozens of deaths and injuries near the site, AFP reports.

“In recent hours, false reports have been spread, including serious allegations against the IDF (military) regarding fire toward Gazan residents in the area of the humanitarian aid distribution site in the Gaza Strip,” the army said in a statement.

“Findings from an initial inquiry indicate that the IDF did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site and that reports to this effect are false. “