“Perpetrators must be held accountable,” declared UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday, as he condemned the “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid. His demand for accountability underscores the UN’s belief that these civilian deaths are not accidental but rather the result of “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” them of essentials.
The calls for accountability come amidst a deepening crisis 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 string 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 noted that emergency medical teams are treating hundreds of trauma cases, with dozens declared dead after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire. He stressed that these are “not isolated incidents,” reinforcing the need for thorough investigations.
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.