Over 1,000 Killed Seeking Food in Gaza: UN Reports

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen as over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to access food, according to the United Nations. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) revealed that Israeli forces were responsible for the deaths of at least 1,054 individuals seeking humanitarian aid since the launch of the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Food Turns Fatal

UN rights office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said on July 21 that most victims were killed while approaching aid distribution areas. “Of the 1,054 deaths, 766 occurred near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, while 288 were killed near UN and other humanitarian convoys,” Al-Kheetan told AFP. He confirmed that all were killed by Israeli military forces.

These figures highlight the dire circumstances in Gaza, where desperation for basic necessities like food is proving fatal for many civilians.

Aid Distribution Under Fire

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was created to streamline food and medical supplies into the besieged enclave. However, the UN claims that the areas around its sites have become increasingly dangerous.

Witnesses on the ground report that long queues for food aid often end in tragedy. Crowds gather despite risks, driven by acute shortages and starvation. Humanitarian groups say the violence targeting aid seekers is undermining relief efforts and worsening the food insecurity crisis.

Read: Gaza Crisis Deepens as Israeli Strikes Kill 17

International Concern Grows

Global human rights groups and UN officials have raised alarms over these deaths. They argue that the ongoing violence against civilians, especially in aid zones, may violate international humanitarian law.

UN officials are calling for an independent investigation into the killings. “The pattern is deeply disturbing,” a UN source said. “People are dying not from hunger alone, but from the violence surrounding the attempt to survive.”

No Safe Zones

Despite assurances by Israeli authorities and their partners in GHF, aid zones are proving unsafe. The UN has expressed concern that designating certain areas for aid without proper coordination and protection exposes civilians to lethal danger.

Aid convoys and distribution centers often become targets or fall victim to crossfire. Al-Kheetan emphasized, “There is a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of civilians trying to access humanitarian aid.”

US and Israeli Response

So far, there has been no official response from Israeli military officials about the UN’s latest figures. However, Israeli authorities have previously stated that militants sometimes use aid sites as cover, which complicates operations in these zones.

The United States, a major supporter of GHF, has also faced pressure to ensure that aid reaches civilians safely and without interference. Washington has expressed concern over the civilian toll but continues to support Israel’s security operations.

Starvation and Fear

Gaza’s population faces not only acute hunger but also fear of being killed while seeking aid. Humanitarian organizations working in the region report that many residents have stopped approaching aid centers due to the deadly risk involved.

One aid worker stated, “We’ve seen people send children or the elderly, thinking they might be spared. But no one is safe.” this leads to many deaths

UN Urges Immediate Protection

The OHCHR has demanded immediate action to protect aid seekers. It also urged all parties involved in the conflict to uphold international humanitarian principles. “Aid must not come with a death sentence,” Al-Kheetan said firmly.

The agency has also appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure safe passage for food and medical supplies. As Gaza’s humanitarian emergency deepens, the UN insists that protecting civilians must become a priority—not an afterthought.