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UN and NGOs condemn US-Israel aid initiative after fatal incident in Gaza
At least three Palestinians were killed and dozens injured in Rafah, Gaza, after Israeli forces opened fire near an aid distribution site managed by a US- and Israel-backed organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations, who say the distribution strategy fails to meet essential humanitarian standards.
Authorities in Gaza reported 46 wounded and seven missing following the event, though GHF denied the casualties occurred at its distribution point. The Israeli military claimed that its troops only fired warning shots outside the site and later regained control of the situation.
UN Response
The United Nations denounced the aid operation. A spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres called the situation “heartbreaking” and reaffirmed that humanitarian assistance must be provided based on principles of neutrality and impartiality. The UN criticized the GHF's plan as inconsistent with established humanitarian standards.
Palestinian Authorities
Gaza’s Government Media Office condemned the shooting, accusing Israeli forces of committing a “deliberate massacre” against starving civilians. They argued the event illustrates Israel’s failure to manage the humanitarian disaster it has created through prolonged siege and military operations.
Israeli and US Reactions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the chaos but described it as momentary. He defended the partnership with the US to establish "controlled" distribution zones and denied that Gaza is suffering from malnutrition.
The US State Department also downplayed the severity of the incident, describing criticism of the aid distribution as superficial. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized the volume of food being delivered and stated that opposition from Hamas had failed to halt the aid flow.
GHF Statement
GHF reported that operations were disrupted briefly due to overcrowding but have since resumed. The group claimed to have distributed 8,000 food boxes, providing around 462,000 meals. It insists its initiative addresses urgent needs on the ground.
Humanitarian Organizations React
Refugees International and the Norwegian Refugee Council both criticized the initiative. Refugees International’s vice president, Hardin Lang, stated that the operation lacked the necessary infrastructure to prevent famine and seemed more focused on relocating people than on aiding them. The NRC’s Ahmed Bayram urged Israel and the US to withdraw the initiative and allow recognized humanitarian agencies to operate independently.
The incident adds to growing concerns about the militarization of aid and the dangerous conditions facing civilians in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
