The UN humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, on Wednesday echoed the call by UN chief Antonio Guterres for “immediate independent investigations” into the “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid. He stressed that these are “not isolated incidents,” underscoring the urgent need for transparency and justice in the conflict zone.
The demand for independent investigations comes amidst a dire situation for aid delivery, highlighted by the temporary closure of facilities operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This decision followed a series of deadly incidents near its distribution centers, including the tragic killing of 27 people in southern Gaza on Tuesday. The Israeli army has also designated roads to these centers as “combat zones.”
Fletcher unequivocally stated that the 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 noted the immense pressure on emergency medical teams treating hundreds of trauma cases.
The UN and major aid groups have expressed reservations about cooperating with the GHF, citing concerns about its alignment with Israeli military objectives. Fletcher reiterated the UN’s capacity and readiness to deliver aid, urging for the opening of all crossings, the lifting of restrictions on aid volume and type, and the implementation of a ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.