The heartbreaking reality for Gazans means risking their lives simply “to feed their children,” a grim situation highlighted by UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday as he condemned “horrifying scenes” of civilians being killed while seeking food aid. This comes as a major aid group announces the temporary closure of its facilities due to the extreme danger.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group, announced the suspension of its operations on Wednesday, following a series of deadly incidents near its distribution centers. Just a day prior, 27 people were killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site. The Israeli military has also warned that roads to aid centers are now “considered combat zones.”
Fletcher unequivocally stated that these deaths are the “outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive.” He highlighted the strain on emergency medical teams dealing with hundreds of trauma cases, emphasizing the systemic nature of the crisis.
Echoing calls for immediate independent investigations, Fletcher insisted that perpetrators must be held accountable. He reiterated the UN’s capacity to deliver aid effectively if granted unfettered access, calling for the opening of all crossings, the lifting of restrictions on aid, and the implementation of a ceasefire to alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
