UN Condemns 'Deliberate Killings' in Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Aid Controversy
UN officials call for independent investigations as aid distribution halts and critiques emerge over new assistance framework.
A senior UN official stated that the recent deaths of Palestinians while seeking aid in Gaza are a result of 'deliberate choices' to deprive them of necessary means for survival.
Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian coordinator, expressed his outrage in a statement, asserting that the United Nations would refuse to participate in the newly established system managed by the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,' which is supported by the United States and the Israeli army.
Fletcher emphasized that this system violates humanitarian principles by granting Israel control over who receives aid, forcing Palestinians to rely on only three distribution centers, with two located in the southern city of Rafah.
The UN official described the ongoing violence as 'horrific,' highlighting ongoing incidents where Palestinians have been shot or killed while simply attempting to obtain food.
Fletcher called for the unrestricted entry of substantial aid supplies and urged international organizations to take over the distribution of assistance.
On Tuesday, the bodies of dozens of victims arrived at hospitals following Israeli gunfire, which was linked to a series of deliberate actions that have systematically deprived two million individuals of essential resources.
Fletcher reiterated the call made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for an independent investigation into incidents occurring near aid distribution centers, stressing that these are not isolated events and that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
Fletcher further asserted that no one should 'risk their lives to feed their children,' underlining the need for humanitarian workers to carry out their missions in the besieged territory.
He requested the opening of all border crossings, allowing lifesaving aid to enter from all directions, lifting restrictions on the types and amounts of assistance permitted, and ensuring that convoys are not stalled due to delays and rejections.
In a related development, the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' announced the suspension of food distribution at its three sites in Gaza.
The organization stated that discussions are ongoing with the Israeli military to enhance pedestrian movement near distribution areas and to improve safety protocols.
This decision followed the Israeli army's admission that it fired upon individuals heading towards a distribution site in Rafah, currently experiencing a significant population decline.
Health officials from Gaza, the Red Cross, and the UN Human Rights Office reported 27 deaths on Tuesday, attributing the blame to Israeli forces as eyewitnesses confirmed the narrative.
The Israeli military acknowledged engaging in gunfire near individuals it labeled as 'suspects' who allegedly approached its troops and disregarded warning shots, noting that it is reviewing reports of injuries.
Reports indicate that dozens have died since the opening of new relief sites, with hospital officials stating at least 80 individuals have been killed either near or en route to these locations since their inauguration last week.
Israel and the United States contend that they have supported the establishment of a new aid system designed to prevent the militant group Hamas from misappropriating and selling assistance to finance its activities.
However, Israel has not claimed that Hamas fired at the new aid sites.
Oxfam's Palestine Policy Director, Bushra Khalidi, asserted that the distribution of aid in Gaza should be conducted through international organizations.
Khalidi expressed confusion over Israeli assertions about aid distribution, noting Oxfam's successful aid delivery during ceasefires.
She characterized the current aid distribution method as lethal for Gaza's populace, accusing Israel of employing starvation as a strategy unrelated to combat.
Philippe Lazzarini, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, warned of another significant issue, noting that no humanitarian aid has reached Gaza in over three months.
He described the suffering of the people in Gaza as unbearable and worsening, stating that safe aid delivery can only be guaranteed through the United Nations, including UNRWA.
British Minister of State for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, expressed Britain’s support for UNRWA and reliable organizations, emphasizing their effectiveness in aid delivery and lamenting the casualties suffered by civilians attempting to reach aid sites in Gaza.
Previously this year, experts cautioned against the threat of famine in Gaza if Israel's blockade and military actions, which escalated in March, were not lifted.
Since March, Israel intensified its military operations and blockade of Gaza, prohibiting aid entry in an effort to compel Hamas to agree to a ceasefire on more favorable terms for Israel.
Nonetheless, the United Nations and international organizations consider the volumes of aid allowed into Gaza as merely 'a drop in the ocean' compared to the needs of the territory's over two million residents.
Tom Fletcher, the UN humanitarian coordinator, expressed his outrage in a statement, asserting that the United Nations would refuse to participate in the newly established system managed by the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,' which is supported by the United States and the Israeli army.
Fletcher emphasized that this system violates humanitarian principles by granting Israel control over who receives aid, forcing Palestinians to rely on only three distribution centers, with two located in the southern city of Rafah.
The UN official described the ongoing violence as 'horrific,' highlighting ongoing incidents where Palestinians have been shot or killed while simply attempting to obtain food.
Fletcher called for the unrestricted entry of substantial aid supplies and urged international organizations to take over the distribution of assistance.
On Tuesday, the bodies of dozens of victims arrived at hospitals following Israeli gunfire, which was linked to a series of deliberate actions that have systematically deprived two million individuals of essential resources.
Fletcher reiterated the call made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for an independent investigation into incidents occurring near aid distribution centers, stressing that these are not isolated events and that the perpetrators must be held accountable.
Fletcher further asserted that no one should 'risk their lives to feed their children,' underlining the need for humanitarian workers to carry out their missions in the besieged territory.
He requested the opening of all border crossings, allowing lifesaving aid to enter from all directions, lifting restrictions on the types and amounts of assistance permitted, and ensuring that convoys are not stalled due to delays and rejections.
In a related development, the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' announced the suspension of food distribution at its three sites in Gaza.
The organization stated that discussions are ongoing with the Israeli military to enhance pedestrian movement near distribution areas and to improve safety protocols.
This decision followed the Israeli army's admission that it fired upon individuals heading towards a distribution site in Rafah, currently experiencing a significant population decline.
Health officials from Gaza, the Red Cross, and the UN Human Rights Office reported 27 deaths on Tuesday, attributing the blame to Israeli forces as eyewitnesses confirmed the narrative.
The Israeli military acknowledged engaging in gunfire near individuals it labeled as 'suspects' who allegedly approached its troops and disregarded warning shots, noting that it is reviewing reports of injuries.
Reports indicate that dozens have died since the opening of new relief sites, with hospital officials stating at least 80 individuals have been killed either near or en route to these locations since their inauguration last week.
Israel and the United States contend that they have supported the establishment of a new aid system designed to prevent the militant group Hamas from misappropriating and selling assistance to finance its activities.
However, Israel has not claimed that Hamas fired at the new aid sites.
Oxfam's Palestine Policy Director, Bushra Khalidi, asserted that the distribution of aid in Gaza should be conducted through international organizations.
Khalidi expressed confusion over Israeli assertions about aid distribution, noting Oxfam's successful aid delivery during ceasefires.
She characterized the current aid distribution method as lethal for Gaza's populace, accusing Israel of employing starvation as a strategy unrelated to combat.
Philippe Lazzarini, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Commissioner-General, warned of another significant issue, noting that no humanitarian aid has reached Gaza in over three months.
He described the suffering of the people in Gaza as unbearable and worsening, stating that safe aid delivery can only be guaranteed through the United Nations, including UNRWA.
British Minister of State for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, expressed Britain’s support for UNRWA and reliable organizations, emphasizing their effectiveness in aid delivery and lamenting the casualties suffered by civilians attempting to reach aid sites in Gaza.
Previously this year, experts cautioned against the threat of famine in Gaza if Israel's blockade and military actions, which escalated in March, were not lifted.
Since March, Israel intensified its military operations and blockade of Gaza, prohibiting aid entry in an effort to compel Hamas to agree to a ceasefire on more favorable terms for Israel.
Nonetheless, the United Nations and international organizations consider the volumes of aid allowed into Gaza as merely 'a drop in the ocean' compared to the needs of the territory's over two million residents.
