Gaza Aid Crisis: UN Slams “Deliberate Choices” as Casualties Mount Near Food Sites

The UN aid chief, Tom Fletcher, issued a strong condemnation on Wednesday, stating that the “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid are a direct result of “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” them of essentials to survive. His remarks highlight a grave humanitarian crisis where even the act of seeking sustenance has become life-threatening, with casualties mounting near aid distribution sites.
The urgency of the situation is amplified by the temporary closure of facilities operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group. This decision was prompted by a series 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 endangers aid efforts.
Fletcher noted that emergency medical teams have confirmed treating hundreds of trauma cases, with dozens declared dead after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire. He emphasized that these incidents are “not isolated” and that “perpetrators must be held accountable,” signaling the UN’s demand for justice and an end to impunity.
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.