Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief & Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini on June 1 urged Israel to lift the aid blockade in Gaza.
Lazzarini charged on his social media platform that under Israeli military control “aid distribution has become a death trap.” The UNRWA head asserted that aid distribution in Gaza can only be effectively achieved through the United Nations. He demanded that Israel allow the UN to manage a safe and at-scale delivery of aid in Gaza, calling this “the only way to avert mass starvation including among 1 million children.”
The statement came hours after disputed reports of Israeli forces firing on civilians near a “Safe Distribution Point” in the Tal al-Sultan area of southern Gaza operated by the private US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While Gaza’s Civil Defense agency claimed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were responsible for the gunfire, the IDF called this a false report. The IDF further cited now-deleted footage to assert that Hamas is firing at civilians near aid distribution points. In light of these disputed reports, Lazzarini added: “With competing narratives and disinformation campaigns in full gear, international media must be allowed into Gaza to independently report on the ongoing atrocities.”
Reports indicate at least 31 deaths and more than 150 injured as civilians approached the GHF point. Lazzarini criticized the GHF operation as a “humiliating system.” He said that Palestinians are forced to walk for tens of miles through areas devastated by Israeli attacks, and that the distribution points themselves are neither safe nor at needed scale. GHF has also been described by rights organizations as illegitimate and inhumane, and acting in breach of international law.
UNRWA’s latest reports confirm that around 632,700 people have been forcibly displaced in Gaza since the ceasefire ended March 18. Israeli forces have also targeted UNRWA facilities, with at least 310 UNRWA members killed and 311 installations damaged since Oct. 7, 2023. UNRWA schools have also been targeted by Israeli forces, threatening Palestinian children’s right to education. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process Sigrid Kaag has urged a ceasefire and aid access to Gaza.
The international community has also voiced serious concerns about Israeli actions. The EU demanded that Israel allow humanitarian access in Gaza, and the governments of the UK, France and Canada recently delivered a joint statement opposing Israel’s ongoing military operations against the Palestinians.
From JURIST, June 2. Used with permission.
See our last reports on the GHF, UNRWA, and accusations of Israeli genocide.
Photo: hosny salah from Pixabay
US vetoes UN resolution demanding permanent Gaza ceasefire
A draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass in the UN Security Council on June 4 after the United States cast its veto—blocking the initiative backed by all 10 elected members of the Council.
The text, co-sponsored by Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Somalia—collectively known as the E-10—received 14 votes in favor, with the US casting the lone vote against.
As one of the council’s five permanent members, the US holds veto power—a negative vote that automatically blocks any resolution from going forward.
Had it been adopted, the draft would have demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza” to be respected by all parties.
Release all hostages
The text reaffirmed the Council’s earlier call for the “immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.”
The draft also expressed grave concern over the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza—following more than the months of almost total Israeli aid blockade—including the risk of famine, highlighted by recent international food security assessments.
It reaffirmed the obligation of all parties to comply with international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law.
Resume flow of aid
In addition to a ceasefire, the draft resolution demanded the “immediate and unconditional lifting of all restrictions” on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid in Gaza, calling for safe and unhindered access for UN and humanitarian partners across the enclave.
It also urged the restoration of essential services, in accordance with humanitarian principles and prior Security Council resolutions.
The text voiced support for ongoing mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to revive the phased ceasefire framework outlined in Resolution 2735 (2024), which envisions a permanent cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, the return of all remains, full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, and the start of a long-term reconstruction plan.
Draft resolution unacceptable: United States
Speaking ahead of the vote, acting US Representative Dorothy Shea described the draft resolution as “unacceptable.”
“US opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise—it is unacceptable for what it does say, it is unacceptable for what it does not say, and it is unacceptable for the manner in which it has been advanced,” she said.
“The United States has been clear,” she continued, “we would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza.”
She added that Hamas has rejected numerous ceasefire proposals, including one over the weekend that would have provided a pathway to end the conflict and release the remaining hostages.
“We cannot allow the Security Council to award Hamas’ intransigence,” Shea said, stressing, “Hamas and other terrorists must have no future in Gaza. As Secretary [Marco] Rubio has said: ‘If an ember survives, it will spark again into a fire.'”
‘The world is watching’
The failure of the resolution comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with UN agencies warning of the total collapse of health services, growing displacement, and a rising death toll around the new privatized US-Israel led aid distribution system which bypasses established agencies.
“The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,” said UN relief chief Tom Fletcher earlier on June 4. (UN News)
GHF suspends operations after yet another massacre
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) suspended aid distribution in the war-torn territory June 4, a day after Israeli forces again opened fire on Palestinians near a GHF distribution site, killing some 30 and injuring more than 100. (Al Jazeera) On June 2, another three people were killed by gunfire at the site. (BBC News)
The GHF had just named as its new executive chairman an evangelical Christian who was an adviser to the White House during Trump’s first term in office. Rev. Dr. Johnnie Moore has publicly backed Trump’s proposal for the United States to take over the Palestinian enclave. (Reuters)
Activists set sail toward Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid
The NGO Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) on June 1 set off a ship from Catania, Sicily, to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. On board are various human rights advocates, such as prominent activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament Member Rima Hassan, saying they are opposing Israel’s escalation through an act of “civil resistance.” (Jurist)
GHF again suspends operations after yet another massacre
No sooner did the GHF resume operations than yet another four were killed at its aid distribution site in Rafah. The IDF again said it had only fired warning shots. The GHF has again suspended operations.
The deaths bring the number of people who have been killed while trying to find food in Gaza since May 27, when GHF became responsible for civilian food provision, to 110. More than 1,000 have been injured. (BBC News, ToI, The Guardian)
More killings at GHF distribution points
Gaza health officials say at least five people were killed by Israeli fire as they headed toward two aid distribution points in the southern Strip run by the GHF. Four bodies were brought to Nasser Hospital in Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis.
This time some of the fire is said to have come from a Palestinian armed group, pointing to the possible role of the Abu Shabab clan, an armed criminal gang which Israel now admits it has been supporting to counter Hamas. (NPR, ToI)
Yet another massacre at GHF distribution point
At least 36 Palestinians were killed while attempting to get aid in southern Gaza on June 10, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. This is the highest death toll from a shooting near an aid distribution center in Gaza since the opening of the GHF aid distribution sites last month. (ABC)
Israel deports crew members of humanitarian ship
Four of the 12 crew members of the Madleen, including prominent activist Greta Thunberg, were deported from Israel on June 10, with the remaining eight crew members, including French Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan, still in custody in Israel. The crew members were detained in international waters aboard a ship that intended to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and they were transported to Israel by its military. (Jurist)
Hamas attacks GHF aid team in Gaza: report
At least five people were killed in a Hamas attack on a GHF bus transporting some two dozen team members, mostly US nationas, along with local Palestinians working alongside with the GHF team, the foundation announced. (JP)
Yet another massacre at GHF distribution point
At least 15 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire as they gathered near a GHF aid distribution point in central Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor June 14. The IDF again said troops fired warning shots at a group they believed posed a potential threat. (BBC News)
More massacres at Gaza aid sites
Israeli tank shellfire killed at least 51 Palestinians on June 17 as they awaited aid trucks in Khan Younis. One day earlier, at least 23 were killed by Israeli gunfire as they approached a GHF aid distribution site in Rafah. (Reuters)
UN condemns Gaza aid ‘death trap’
At least 46 people waiting for aid were been killed by Israeli fire in two incidents in central and southern Gaza June 24, prompting UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini to call the GHF system “an abomination” and “a death trap.” (BBC News)
A group of international legal experts has signed onto an open letter warning that private military contractors and others working with the GHF may be criminally liable for the attacks that have now left some 400 dead. (PRI, The Independent)
Gaza health authorities announced the number of Palestinians killed in the war has risen above 56,000. (AP)