The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group, announced on Wednesday the temporary closure of its aid distribution sites in the Gaza Strip, citing a series of deadly incidents near its facilities. This significant setback comes amidst growing international alarm over the safety of civilians seeking food and other essential supplies in the war-torn territory.
The GHF’s decision directly follows a tragic event on Tuesday where 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near one of its aid sites. The Israeli military is investigating the incident, but the recurrence of such fatalities near aid distribution points has intensified calls for greater protection for civilians and humanitarian workers. The Israeli army’s warning that roads leading to these centers are “considered combat zones” further complicates aid efforts.
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher condemned the ongoing violence, stating that “the world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat.” He asserted that these deaths are a direct consequence of “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive.”
Fletcher echoed calls for immediate independent investigations into these “not isolated incidents” and stressed the need for perpetrators to be held accountable. He reiterated the UN’s readiness and capacity to deliver aid, urging for the opening of all crossings, a lifting of restrictions on aid volume and type, and the implementation of a ceasefire to address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.