UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stern condemnation over the reported killing and injury of civilians in Gaza who were seeking food aid, calling the incidents “unacceptable.”
“The Secretary-General condemns the loss of lives and injuries of civilians in Gaza who are once again being shot at while seeking food,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for Guterres, on Tuesday.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 338 people have been killed and over 2,800 injured while attempting to access food at distribution hubs since late May.
Guterres has called for an immediate and independent investigation into these reports and emphasized the need for accountability to be established. He also reiterated his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and an immediate permanent ceasefire.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that more than 60 people were killed and over 280 injured on Tuesday alone while waiting for aid in Khan Younis. The Israeli military acknowledged that its troops fired at a crowd and stated that the incident is under review.
“Our humanitarian partners continue to report that fuel stocks in Gaza have reached critically low levels,” OCHA stated. “Without immediate resupply, essential services, including the provision of clean water, will grind to a halt very soon.”
The World Health Organization noted that no fuel had entered Gaza for more than 100 days, severely impacting critical health services. Seventeen hospitals, seven field hospitals, and 43 primary health centers are running on minimal fuel supplies.
OCHA called for immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access to aid supplies and fuel stocks, stressing that civilians must never be targeted, especially those seeking food amid ongoing starvation. “This lockdown has effectively splintered the West Bank, isolating communities from essential services and sources of livelihood,” the agency reported.
In the West Bank, increased movement restrictions and operations by Israeli forces have intensified, causing further displacement and destruction. Humanitarian agencies are urging all parties to allow access to aid and to protect civilian lives.
