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International criticism intensified over a new Gaza aid distribution model after at least 47 Palestinians were injured, most by Israeli gunfire, when crowds surged toward a US-backed aid facility in Rafah, according to United Nations officials.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which began operations Monday, has faced mounting opposition from international organizations and European governments following chaotic scenes at its distribution centers that resulted in civilian casualties.
Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territories, confirmed that "most of those injured are due to gunshots" caused by Israeli army shooting during Tuesday's incident at the aid distribution facility.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini strongly criticized the U.S.-backed aid distribution system, calling it "a waste of resources and a distraction from atrocities."
"We have seen yesterday the shocking images of hungry people pushing against fences, desperate for food. It was chaotic, undignified and unsafe," Lazzarini said during a visit to Japan.
The U.N. official argued that an effective aid distribution system already exists, stating: "We already have an aid distribution system that is fit for purpose."
Lazzarini warned that the new model would "deprive a large part of Gaza, the highly vulnerable people, of desperately needed assistance," noting that previous distribution systems operated 400 centers compared to the current three to four locations.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament that Israel's continued assault on Gaza "has become unacceptable and must stop immediately."
"The legitimate reaction of the Israeli government to a terrible and senseless act of terrorism is unfortunately taking absolutely dramatic and unacceptable forms, which we call on Israel to stop immediately," Tajani stated.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reaffirmed his country's commitment to ending the violence, stating: "One year after recognizing Palestine as a state, the pain in Gaza is unbearable."
Sanchez emphasized that Spain will continue calling for an end to what he described as "the massacre the world is witnessing today."
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made a rare diplomatic offer during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Jakarta, stating Indonesia's readiness to recognize Israel under specific conditions.
"Indonesia has stated that once Israel recognizes Palestine, Indonesia is ready to recognize Israel and open the diplomatic relationship," Subianto announced during a joint press conference.
The Indonesian leader emphasized that "the two-state solution and the freedom of Palestine is the only way to achieve the true peace."
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was established in February under U.S. and Israeli coordination, bypassing the United Nations and international relief organizations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged "a loss of control momentarily" at the distribution center but maintained that Israeli forces had provided "essential requirements: food, water, medicine" since the war's early days.
However, Netanyahu denied widespread starvation in Gaza despite international warnings of famine, claiming Israeli army photos of thousands of Palestinian prisoners showed none appeared "emaciated."
According to U.N. officials, Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid since March 2, severely worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Sunghay painted a grim picture of escalating violence, describing recent strikes where "hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured and thousands displaced."
The U.N. official cited harrowing examples, including "children burned alive in shelters, others killed while sheltering in tents with their families, and nine siblings killed in a single strike while their mother, a doctor, was working at a hospital."
Families of Israeli hostages blocked a Tel Aviv highway Wednesday as the Gaza war entered its 600th day, demanding comprehensive agreements for all captives' release.
"600 days of missing our loved ones... For 600 days, Hamas has been holding them, and the bloody Israeli government abandoned them," the families stated.
They accused Israeli leadership of making their relatives "victims of Netanyahu's cheap politics" and criticized the government for "not presenting any appropriate proposal ever" for hostage releases.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its military actions in the Palestinian enclave.
According to Gaza health authorities, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military campaign since October 2023, with most victims being women and children.
France and Indonesia announced plans to co-chair a conference with Saudi Arabia at U.N. headquarters in New York next month, focusing on the two-state solution.
The joint statement condemned Israeli plans to take control of Gaza and any moves to "forcibly remove the Palestinian population from their homeland."
The planned conference "should allow for an irreversible path towards the realisation of a Palestinian State, (and) mutual recognition between Israel and Palestine," according to the joint French-Indonesian statement.
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