As the death toll among Gazans seeking food aid continues to climb, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday echoed calls for immediate independent investigations into the “horrifying scenes” of civilians being killed. He stressed that these are “not isolated incidents” and that “perpetrators must be held accountable,” highlighting the urgent need for justice and transparency in the conflict zone.
The calls for investigation come as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group operating aid sites, announced the temporary suspension of its facilities. This decision follows a series of deadly incidents, including a tragic event on Tuesday where 27 people were killed in southern Gaza near a GHF aid site. The Israeli army has also labeled roads leading to these centers as “combat zones,” making aid delivery even more treacherous.
Fletcher directly attributed the civilian deaths to “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” Gazans of essential survival items. He painted a grim picture of the situation, with emergency medical teams treating hundreds of trauma cases and dozens declared dead after Israeli forces opened fire. His statement underscores the severe consequences of restricted aid access and ongoing hostilities.
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 life-saving 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.