“The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,” declared UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday. His powerful statement serves as a global appeal for intervention and accountability as civilians in Gaza face deadly risks simply to acquire food.
The stark reality articulated by Fletcher comes as a US and Israeli-backed aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), announced the temporary closure of its facilities. This decision follows a series 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 unequivocally stated that the civilian deaths are the “outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive.” He highlighted the overwhelming burden on emergency medical teams and the systemic nature of the crisis.
Echoing UN chief Antonio Guterres, Fletcher demanded immediate independent investigations and accountability. He also called for the “open[ing of] the crossings — all of them,” the lifting of all restrictions on aid, and the implementation of a ceasefire to enable the UN to deliver critical assistance at scale and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.