Civilian deaths are soaring near aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday squarely blaming “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” Gazans of essentials for survival. His powerful condemnation underscores the immense human cost of restricted aid access and ongoing hostilities.
The alarming rise in fatalities is evident in the temporary closure of facilities operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This decision followed a string of deadly incidents, including a Tuesday attack that killed 27 people in southern Gaza near a GHF aid site. The Israeli army’s warning that roads to these centers are “considered combat zones” further escalates the danger.
Fletcher noted that emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases, with dozens declared dead at hospitals after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire. He stressed that these are “not isolated incidents” and that “perpetrators must be held accountable,” signaling the UN’s demand for justice.
The UN and major aid groups have expressed reservations about cooperating with the GHF, fearing its alignment with Israeli military objectives. Fletcher reiterated the UN’s capacity and readiness to deliver aid, urging for the opening of all crossings, the lifting of restrictions on aid volume and type, and the implementation of a ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.