UN: Over 500 killed near Gaza aid sites since late May

More than 500 Palestinians have been killed near food aid sites linked to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) since late May, according to new figures released by the UN on Friday, intensifying concerns over the safety of civilians in areas designated for relief.

The GHF, a US and 'Israel'-backed private organization, began distributing food in Gaza on May 26 after 'Israel' imposed a prolonged blockade that halted humanitarian supplies for over two months. The resulting shortages led to widespread famine warnings and pushed aid operations to the brink of collapse.

Since the GHF began its operations, chaos has erupted around its distribution points, with near-daily reports of 'Israeli' forces opening fire on crowds waiting for rations in Gaza, where 'Israel' continues its military campaign against Hamas.

UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said her team had documented at least 613 deaths near GHF distribution points and aid convoys as of June 27. “Of the 613 figure that I mentioned, 509 people killed were killed near the GHF distribution,” she told reporters in Geneva. The remaining deaths occurred “near UN and non-UN convoys.”

She noted that the death toll is likely higher, as the UN continues to verify additional reports amid significant restrictions on access to Gaza.

"It is clear that the Israeli military has shelled and shot at Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points," Shamdasani said. "How many killings? Who is responsible for that? We need an investigation. We need access. We need an independent inquiry, and we need accountability for these killings."

International aid groups and the United Nations have refused to cooperate with GHF, citing concerns that the foundation’s operations are aligned with 'Israeli' military interests and violate core humanitarian principles. Despite these criticisms, GHF reported on Thursday that it had distributed over one million food boxes across Gaza.

GHF is registered in Delaware and chaired by Johnnie Moore, an evangelical leader and vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump. At a press briefing in Brussels, Moore defended the foundation’s operations, claiming, "We have not had a single violent incident in our distribution sites. We haven't had a violent incident in close proximity to our distribution sites."

However, humanitarian workers on the ground paint a much darker picture. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) representative in the Palestinian territories, visited the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza this week. He described dire conditions: “There were patients everywhere: on the floor, in the corridors.”

He added that the victims were often young males targeted while trying to access food. "It’s mainly boys, young adolescents, young men, and we all know that they go to these so-called safe, non-UN food distribution sites," he said. “There are so many of these cases shot in the head, shot in the neck, shot in the chest.”