The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an aid group backed by the US and Israel, announced on Wednesday the temporary suspension of its operations in the Gaza Strip. The decision was made following a string of deadly incidents near its distribution centers, underscoring the perilous environment for humanitarian aid delivery in the besieged territory.
The most recent tragedy occurred on Tuesday, when 27 people were killed in southern Gaza after Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site. The Israeli military stated the incident is under investigation, but the recurring loss of life near aid distribution points has amplified international concerns about the protection of civilians and the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. The Israeli army’s warning that roads 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.