The United Nations has openly criticised Israel for allegedly turning food distribution points in Gaza into deadly ambushes, describing the use of humanitarian aid as “death traps” that cost the lives of starving Palestinians, actions it has classified as potential war crimes.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), did not hold back in his condemnation of the United States and Israel-supported Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began distributing food in Gaza on 26 May. The territory has been suffering under a complete blockade, with supplies cut off for over two months, leading to escalating fears of mass starvation.
Lazzarini described the controversial food delivery initiative as an “abomination” during a press briefing held in Berlin. The GHF, though presented as a private humanitarian effort, has faced widespread criticism from the UN and major international aid organisations due to its opaque funding structure and concerns that the initiative is being used to serve Israeli military interests rather than solely addressing the humanitarian crisis.
“It is a death trap costing more lives than it saves,”
Lazzarini stated, reflecting the UN’s deep concerns over the alleged misuse of aid mechanisms in the conflict zone.
His comments come as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with countless civilians facing famine, displacement, and violence. Israel’s full blockade of the occupied territory in recent months has left the civilian population reliant on sporadic, and now contested, aid deliveries.
Expanding on the UN’s position, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, Thameen Al-Kheetan, stressed that Israel’s approach to delivering humanitarian assistance through militarised channels directly violates international humanitarian norms.
“Israel’s militarised humanitarian assistance mechanism is in contradiction with international standards on aid distribution,”
Al-Kheetan told reporters. He went further, highlighting how using food as a weapon or restricting access to essential life-saving resources constitutes a severe breach of international law.
“The weaponisation of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime,”
he asserted.
The human toll of these tactics has been devastating, with Al-Kheetan revealing that at least 410 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and 93 others injured during incidents where Israeli forces allegedly targeted individuals trying to access food distribution points. Many of those affected were desperate civilians, trapped between starvation and the risk of being shot while seeking aid.
“Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food,”
Al-Kheetan remarked, underscoring the impossible circumstances facing Palestinian civilians.
Reports from within Gaza suggest that Israeli forces have fired upon or shelled civilians attempting to reach aid points, exacerbating the humanitarian catastrophe. The exact number of casualties remains under investigation, with UN officials working to verify the full extent of deaths and injuries. Al-Kheetan noted that the confirmed fatalities may not represent the entire picture, acknowledging that some individuals could have been killed by other, unconfirmed sources of fire.
“The Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities,”
Al-Kheetan continued, echoing concerns raised by humanitarian groups about the risks civilians face when trying to access food.
He further emphasised the need for accountability and transparent investigations into these incidents.
“At least 3 000 Palestinians have been injured in these incidents. Each of these killings must be promptly and impartially investigated, and those responsible must be held to account,”
Al-Kheetan insisted.
