UN Blames “Deliberate Choices” for Gaza Deaths, Calls for Ceasefire and Open Crossings

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday delivered a scathing critique, attributing the “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid to “deliberate choices that have systematically deprived” them of essentials. His powerful condemnation is coupled with an urgent call for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of all crossings to allow life-saving aid into the besieged Gaza Strip.
The humanitarian crisis is further exacerbated by the temporary closure of aid sites operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group. This decision follows a string of deadly incidents, including a Tuesday attack that killed 27 people in southern Gaza near a GHF aid site. The Israeli army has also designated roads to aid centers as “combat zones,” making delivery perilous.
Fletcher noted the immense pressure on emergency medical teams treating hundreds of trauma cases and the dozens declared dead after Israeli forces reportedly opened fire. He stressed that these are “not isolated incidents” and that “perpetrators must be held accountable,” emphasizing the systemic nature of the crisis.
The UN and major aid groups have expressed reservations about cooperating with the GHF, fearing its alignment with Israeli military objectives. Fletcher reiterated the UN’s capacity and readiness to deliver aid, demanding an end to the blockade, the opening of all crossings, and the lifting of restrictions on aid to prevent further suffering and ensure the survival of two million people in Gaza.