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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that the current aid distribution mechanism in the Gaza Strip, guided by Israel and the United States, fails to meet urgent humanitarian needs in the region.
UNRWA Gaza Director Sam Rose stated in a written declaration, "Current distribution channels in Gaza do not meet urgent humanitarian needs, especially for the sick, elderly, and wounded."
Rose emphasized that the U.N. proved it could deliver aid safely and comprehensively during a seven-day cease-fire period. "As UNRWA, we operate the world's largest continuous food distribution operation. Aid materials are ready, but the urgent need is to deliver this aid directly to those in need. We have no time to lose," he said.
The Palestinian government in Gaza announced that the death toll from Israeli military attacks on U.S.-guided aid distribution points over the past week has risen to 52, with 340 wounded.
According to a written statement from the Gaza government's Media Office, Israeli forces killed three more civilians and wounded 35 others in the latest attack near aid distribution centers in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
The statement noted that this attack was carried out as part of a "starvation and systematic targeting" policy against civilians that has continued for 93 days.
Israeli forces have been conducting attacks on distribution areas established under the name of humanitarian aid by the Israeli-U.S.-guided "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" since May 27. Israeli forces open fire on civilians who flock to distribution sites set up in so-called "buffer zones."
On June 1, Israeli military attacks on Palestinians trying to receive humanitarian aid at two separate points in the Gaza Strip killed 32 people and wounded 232 others. The Israeli military denied opening fire on Palestinians waiting for aid at distribution points, killing dozens.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated that "aid distribution in Gaza Strip has become a death trap."
The systematic targeting of aid distribution sites has drawn criticism from international organizations, with calls for independent investigations into what they describe as violations of international humanitarian law.
Gaza Ambulance and Emergency Service Director Faris Afane reported that Israeli forces prevent ambulances from reaching attack areas, forcing wounded people to wait for long periods without medical assistance.
"Israeli forces deliberately target ambulances. Evacuating the wounded has become extremely dangerous. The health infrastructure has collapsed, ambulances are insufficient in number, and the wounded have to wait more than half an hour until help arrives," Afane stated.
The "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," reportedly established as a "non-profit civil society organization" in Geneva, Switzerland, in February, has faced criticism over its operations and backing.
According to reports in the U.S. and Israeli media, the Tel Aviv and Washington administrations are behind the foundation. UNRWA and the Palestinian government in Gaza state that this foundation operates in line with the Tel Aviv administration's objectives.
The foundation's Executive Director Jake Wood announced his resignation one day before the opening ceremony, stating that implementing the aid plan "does not comply with humanitarian principles" and that "basic principles such as neutrality, humanity and independence cannot be compromised."
According to U.N. reports, Israel deliberately causes starvation by closing border crossings for humanitarian aid, aiming to forcibly displace Palestinians through this method.
Approximately 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been unable to meet their basic needs since Oct. 7, 2023, due to ongoing heavy attacks and Israel's prevention of humanitarian aid entry by closing border gates.
Since Israel began its offensive in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, more than 178,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded, mostly children and women, with US support. At least 11,000 people are missing, and hundreds of thousands of civilians have been displaced.
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