UN demands independent probe after reported killings at Gaza aid distributions; urges immediate aid access and ceasefire

The United Nations on Friday condemned reported killings and injuries of Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza and called for an immediate, independent investigation and accountability for the incidents.

At a UN spokesperson briefing, the secretary-general — as relayed by the spokesperson — said “it is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food” and urged that perpetrators be held accountable. The briefing described reported attacks at distribution sites in Rafah and Dar al-Balah and said scores of people were killed and injured while gathering to receive supplies near militarized distribution centers.

The spokesperson reiterated that Israel has obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian assistance and called for the unimpeded entry of aid at scale to meet urgent needs. The briefing said the United Nations must be allowed to operate in safety and with full respect for humanitarian principles.

The briefing provided data on humanitarian impacts: humanitarian partners estimated that more than 640,000 people — nearly a third of Gaza’s population — have been displaced since March 18. A recent displacement order affecting Khan Yunis and Dar al-Balah was said to affect about 100,000 people living in more than 200 displacement sites. The spokesperson said attacks on health facilities continued, citing a reported strike on the Noor al-Kabi dialysis center in North Gaza and a Ministry of Health estimate that more than 40% of dialysis patients in Gaza have died since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023.

The UN said school operations have been widely disrupted, with tens of temporary learning spaces and dozens of public schools suspended, depriving thousands of children of education. Humanitarian colleagues reported dwindling supplies and continuing incidents of both desperate seizure of food from UN trucks and criminal looting. The spokesperson said the UN and partners distributed nutritional supplements to about 40,000 children last week, despite severe restrictions.

The briefing also described repeated denials of requests to repair or deliver water supplies: the pipeline in Dar al-Balah that supplied about 12,000 cubic meters daily remained nonoperational and several missions to distribute potable water in displacement camps were denied by Israeli authorities. The spokesperson said more than 100 truckloads of food and medical supplies were picked up from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom over the weekend, and that some further attempts to collect supplies were denied or remain pending approval and safe passage.

The secretary-general, as quoted at the briefing, renewed his call for an immediate, permanent and sustained ceasefire, and said “There is no military solution to this conflict.” He also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The United Nations urged all parties to allow humanitarian operations to proceed at scale and to take steps to ensure civilians can access food, water, health care and education without risking their lives.