DaysofPal – More than 130 humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, have jointly called for the immediate closure of the Israeli- and U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), citing a soaring death toll among Palestinians seeking food and aid under fire.
In a joint statement released Monday, the groups condemned what they described as “routine” shootings by Israeli forces and armed groups at aid distribution points, where desperate civilians gather daily to obtain basic supplies. The statement warned that “over 500 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 4,000 wounded” since the GHF began operations in late May, following a three-month complete Israeli blockade of the besieged Gaza Strip.
“Today, Palestinians in Gaza face an impossible choice: starve or risk being shot while trying desperately to reach food to feed their families,” the organizations said.
The groups further noted that children and their caregivers are frequently among the casualties, with minors injured in more than half of the documented attacks on aid centers. Several human rights organizations have also pointed to disturbing reports that Israeli soldiers were instructed to open fire on unarmed civilians approaching aid convoys or drop-off sites.
Away from the supervision of the United Nations and international organizations, Tel Aviv and Washington have been implementing a unilateral aid distribution plan since May 27. According to rights groups and eyewitness accounts, the Israeli army has consistently fired on Palestinians queuing for this so-called “US-Israeli aid,” forcing families to choose between starvation and being shot.
The consequences have been catastrophic. As of Sunday, the Government Media Office in Gaza reported that 580 Palestinians have been killed and more than 4,216 wounded near aid distribution sites since the plan began. An additional 39 individuals remain missing.
“Israel is now targeting those waiting for aid in Gaza on a daily basis,” the statement read, “killing and injuring hundreds of them in a direct attack on the livelihoods of Palestinians who have been subjected to genocide for the 22nd consecutive month.”
The United Nations delivered a strong condemnation of Israel’s actions, calling for accountability and an immediate investigation. In a briefing to the UN Security Council, Khaled Khayari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, described the pattern of attacks as a “horrific loss of life.”
“We strongly condemn the horrific loss of life and injuries among Palestinians trying to obtain humanitarian aid in Gaza,” Khayari said. “There must be an immediate and independent investigation into these events, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
Khayari cited several deadly incidents, including a massacre on June 17, when Israeli forces opened fire on people waiting for aid at the Tahlia Roundabout in Khan Yunis, killing at least 51 people and wounding more than 200, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
In a chilling confirmation published by the Israeli daily Haaretz, Israeli soldiers admitted on Friday that they have been ordered by commanders to deliberately fire on unarmed Palestinians near aid sites. These revelations align with previous testimonies and footage documenting targeted shootings at distribution zones.
Khayari stressed that the United Nations would not participate in any aid mechanism that fails to respect humanitarian principles of “humanity, impartiality, independence, and neutrality.” He also criticized Israel for its ongoing blockade, which has drastically obstructed the entry of life-saving supplies.
“Current aid reaching Gaza is completely insufficient to meet the urgent needs of Palestinians,” Khayari warned.
Since March 2, Israel has sealed off all major crossings into the Gaza Strip, further deepening the humanitarian crisis and pushing Gaza’s 2.4 million residents to the brink of famine.
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