TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported that at least 875 Palestinian civilians have died in the Gaza Strip over the past six weeks while attempting to obtain food aid. The majority of these casualties occurred near distribution sites managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private organization backed by the United States and Israel.
"As of 13 July, we have recorded 875 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food; 674 of them were killed in the vicinity of GHF sites," said OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan, as quoted from UN News.
According to the Middle East Eye, another 201 victims died along convoy routes operated by the UN and other humanitarian organizations.
"The data we have is based on our own information gathering through various reliable sources, including medical, human rights, and humanitarian organizations," Al-Kheetan added.
GHF Aid Model Deemed Unsafe
GHF began operations in late May 2025, following Israel's 11-week full blockade of Gaza. Unlike the UN-led aid distribution system, GHF utilizes private military contractors from the U.S. and operates independently of official humanitarian institutions.
The UN has deemed GHF's aid model unsafe and contrary to the principles of humanitarian neutrality. GHF, however, has rejected the UN's findings, accusing the world body of spreading misleading information.
Latest Incident Reported
According to UN News, the most recent incident occurred on Monday morning, July 14, in the As Shakoush area, northwest of Rafah.
Israeli forces reportedly fired at Palestinian civilians queuing for aid at a GHF distribution point, resulting in two deaths and at least nine injuries. Some victims were transported to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in Rafah.
Last Saturday, the hospital admitted over 130 patients, most suffering from gunshot wounds. "All responsive individuals said they were trying to reach food distribution sites," OHCHR stated.
Shot While Seeking Food
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has expressed deep concern over the rising number of civilian deaths linked to food aid.
"Our teams on the ground - UNRWA teams and other United Nations teams - have spoken to survivors of these killings, these starving children included, who were shot at while on their way to pick up very little food," said Juliette Touma, Director of Communications at UNRWA, in a video statement from Amman.
Touma added that Israel's blockade, in effect since March 2, has led to a surge in child malnutrition cases. "We've been banned from bringing in any humanitarian assistance into Gaza for more than four months now," she revealed.
She also disclosed that 6,000 trucks carrying aid are currently detained in Egypt and Jordan, despite being only "a three-hour drive" from Gaza.
These trucks contain essential supplies such as food, medicine, and basic necessities like soap. "Medicine and food are going to expire soon if we're not able to get those supplies to people in Gaza who need them most," Touma warned, emphasizing that among them are one million children who make up half of the population of the Gaza Strip
Violence in the West Bank and Mass Evictions
In addition to Gaza, violence has also escalated in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. OHCHR reported that on January 25, a two-year-old girl named Laila Khatib was shot in the head inside her home in Ash-Shuhada village, Jenin.
More recently, on July 3, Walid Badir (61) was fatally shot while cycling home from prayer on the outskirts of Nur Shams camp.
OHCHR has documented an increase in killings, mass evictions, and the destruction of Palestinian homes. Approximately 30,000 people are reported to have been displaced since the start of Israel's military operation, "Iron Wall," in the northern West Bank.
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