Gaza Aid Sites Under Fire: US-Backed Group Closes as UN Blasts “Horrifying Scenes”

Aid sites in the Gaza Strip have become perilous zones, with a US and Israeli-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), announcing the temporary closure of its facilities on Wednesday following a string of deadly incidents. This critical development coincides with a blistering condemnation from UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, who described recent events as “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid.
The GHF’s decision comes just a day after 27 people were tragically killed in southern Gaza when Israeli troops opened fire near a GHF aid site. While the Israeli military is investigating the incident, the repeated targeting of civilians near aid distribution points has raised serious international alarm. The Israeli army’s warning that roads to these centers are “considered combat zones” further underscores the immense dangers.
Fletcher strongly asserted that these civilian 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.
Echoing calls for immediate independent investigations, Fletcher 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 alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.