Humanitarian aid efforts in the Gaza Strip appear on the verge of collapse, as a US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites announced their temporary closure due to deadly incidents, and the UN aid chief condemned “horrifying scenes” of civilians being killed while seeking food. The escalating violence and restrictions are creating an impossible environment for assistance.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) announced the suspension of its operations on Wednesday, following a series of tragic events 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 army has also warned that roads to aid centers are now “considered combat zones,” further endangering aid workers and recipients.
UN humanitarian chief Tom 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.
Fletcher echoed calls for immediate independent investigations and 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 avert a complete humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.