U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for a ceasefire in Gaza “within the next week,” as global outrage grew over increasing civilian deaths at Israeli-supported aid distribution points.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has resumed food deliveries after a two-month blockade. However, the United Nations and humanitarian groups have condemned the system, describing it as a “killing field,” with more than 500 Palestinians reportedly killed since late May while trying to access aid.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly criticized the violence, emphasizing that civilians are being shot while attempting to feed their families. Doctors Without Borders described the relief efforts as “slaughter masquerading as humanitarian aid.”
Israel has denied targeting civilians and accused the United Nations of siding with Hamas. It maintains that 46 million meals have been delivered through GHF. Despite these claims, reports continue to surface of Israeli forces opening fire on aid seekers. On Friday alone, 80 Palestinians were reported killed, many of them near distribution centers and shelters, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.
Separately, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that military commanders had allegedly ordered troops to fire on civilians near aid sites, leading to internal investigations into potential war crimes.
