The Israeli military announced it is investigating an incident in southern Gaza on Tuesday where 27 people were killed when troops opened fire near an aid site, an event that has been sharply condemned by the UN. This investigation comes as UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher placed blame for such “horrifying scenes” squarely on “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” Gazans of essentials.
The fatal incident contributed to the decision by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group, to temporarily close its aid distribution facilities on Wednesday. The GHF’s announcement highlights the perilous environment for aid delivery, with the Israeli army also warning that roads leading to distribution centers are “considered combat zones.”
Fletcher highlighted the grim reality on the ground, noting that emergency medical teams are treating hundreds of trauma cases, with dozens declared dead after Israeli forces opened fire. He stressed that these are “not isolated incidents” and that “perpetrators must be held accountable.”
The UN and major aid groups have distanced themselves from the GHF, citing concerns about its objectives. Fletcher reiterated the UN’s readiness and capacity to deliver aid, demanding the opening of all crossings, the lifting of restrictions on aid volume and type, and the implementation of a ceasefire to alleviate the immense suffering in Gaza.