Call for closure of Gaza aid mechanism after over 500 Palestinian deaths

In Gaza, humanitarian conditions have drastically deteriorated following the implementation of an aid distribution scheme backed by Israel and the United States. This program replaced a previous UN-led system in which humanitarian aid was delivered. Since its launch in May, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has operated under military oversight, utilizing armed private contractors to secure its distribution points. Unfortunately, this new method has led to increased violence, with at least 500 Palestinians reported killed and thousands injured in the first month alone, as desperate citizens risk their lives to access diminishing supplies amid sporadic attacks from Israeli forces. Reports indicate that the situation has developed into what can only be described as a humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict that began on October 7, 2023. The humanitarian system in Gaza has faced systematic dismantling due to Israeli restrictions, which have left two million inhabitants navigating overcrowded and militarized zones for food. Many find themselves forced to undertake dangerous journeys through active conflict areas while being targeted by security forces, leading to chaotic scenes where the most vulnerable are met with violence rather than assistance. Despite the precarious situation, more than 100 international human rights and aid organizations, including notable groups like Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, are calling for an immediate cessation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's operations. They argue that the military-controlled distribution centers have effectively become killing zones. Eyewitness accounts and health ministry reports from Gaza highlight an alarming trend of civilian casualties, including children, amidst inadequate health care infrastructure that has been crippled by the ongoing conflict. The Israeli Defense Forces have acknowledged incidents of inaccurate fire that have resulted in additional civilian casualties and have expressed a commitment to investigating these cases. However, human rights organizations continue to emphasize the need for a system that prioritizes civilian safety and meets basic humanitarian needs, advocating for a return to the UN-led distribution system that existed before the blockade, which allowed for wider access to aid and minimized dependency on militarized aid hubs.