The United Nations has reported that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to collect food aid in Gaza since May 26, when the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operations.
UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said 1,054 people have been killed while seeking food, including 766 near GHF sites and 288 near UN and other aid convoys. The figures are based on data from humanitarian and medical teams on the ground.
The GHF was launched after Israel blocked aid into Gaza for over two months, sparking severe famine warnings. However, aid distribution under GHF has been marked by chaos, with frequent shootings at distribution points.
Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, confirmed that 21 children have died from malnutrition and starvation in just three days. Hospital director Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya warned that starvation cases are rapidly increasing.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Gaza a “horror show,” condemning the scale of death and destruction. The World Health Organization also accused Israeli forces of raiding its facilities, killing civilians, and mistreating humanitarian staff.
On Tuesday alone, Israeli strikes reportedly killed 81 people, including 31 seeking aid. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas demanded an end to the killings, calling them “indefensible.”
Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, after visiting Gaza, described the humanitarian conditions as “morally unacceptable,” highlighting the desperation of people waiting hours under the sun for a meal.
Despite global outrage, aid operations remain under fire, and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to deepen.
