Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), reported a staggering toll of 875 individuals killed in Gaza as they sought food, with 674 fatalities occurring near US-Israeli operated humanitarian sites known as GHF. This data was shared to highlight the grim reality since these controversial aid hubs became operational on May 27, bypassing traditional United Nations and NGO humanitarian frameworks.
Further elucidating the ongoing tragedy, Al-Kheetan noted that 201 additional deaths happened along the routes or near aid convoys managed by the UN and its partners. The situation escalated sharply, with recent attacks reported on July 14, when Israeli military actions targeted individuals queuing for food at the GHF site in Rafah, resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries, many of whom were rushed to the International Committee of the Red Cross hospital.
The humanitarian crisis deepens as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) raised alarm over rising malnutrition rates among children, with testimonies from survivors revealing harrowing accounts of those shot while attempting to reach food resources. Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, emphasized the dire consequences of the Israeli blockade that has prevented humanitarian aid from entering Gaza for over four months, contributing to severe acute malnutrition in infants and children.
In tandem, the situation in the West Bank remains alarming as violence, attributed to Israeli settlers and security forces, has led to the deaths of multiple Palestinians. Reports of targeted killings and increased home demolitions illustrate a silent escalation of conflict, described by OHCHR as a form of ethnic cleansing through demographic shifts.
Touma also highlighted a significant logistical issue stating, “We have 6,000 trucks waiting in places like Egypt and Jordan. The drive from Jordan to Gaza only takes three hours.” She urged for immediate action to prevent critical food supplies and medicines from expiring, stressing the urgency of these concerns as they affect an estimated one million children in Gaza, roughly half of the region’s population.
Despite the grim circumstances, it’s crucial to remain hopeful and supportive of humanitarian efforts aimed at easing the suffering in Gaza and the West Bank. Continued advocacy for the delivery of essential aid and a peaceful resolution to the conflicts could pave the way for a brighter future for those affected.