Gaza Aid Group Suspends Operations Amidst Fatalities, UN Warns of “Systematic Deprivation”

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group, announced the temporary suspension of its aid distribution operations in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, citing a string of deadly incidents. This critical setback comes as the UN humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, issued a grave warning that the recent “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food were the result of “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” them of essentials.
The GHF’s decision directly follows a tragic event on Tuesday where 27 people lost their lives in southern Gaza near one of its aid sites, with Israeli troops opening fire. The Israeli military is investigating the incident, but the recurrence of such fatalities near aid distribution points has intensified calls for greater protection for civilians and humanitarian workers. The declaration of roads to aid centers as “combat zones” by the Israeli army further complicates an already dire situation.
Fletcher’s strong statement condemned the ongoing violence, emphasizing that “the world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat.” He highlighted the immense burden on emergency medical teams treating hundreds of trauma cases, asserting that these are not isolated incidents but rather the direct consequence of policies restricting aid.
The UN and other major aid organizations have expressed reservations about cooperating with the GHF, fearing its alignment with Israeli military objectives. Fletcher reiterated the UN’s readiness and capacity to deliver aid, demanding an end to the blockade, the opening of all crossings, and the lifting of restrictions on aid to prevent further suffering and ensure the survival of two million people in Gaza.