The closure of aid sites in the Gaza Strip by a US and Israeli-backed group on Wednesday, following deadly incidents, was met with a scathing condemnation from UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher. He asserted 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.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced the temporary suspension of its operations due to a string of deadly incidents near its distribution centers, including a Tuesday attack that killed 27 people in southern Gaza. The Israeli army also warned that roads leading to distribution centers were “considered combat zones,” further exacerbating the crisis.
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,” underscoring 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.