Israeli envoy details aid deliveries into Gaza, disputes reports of Israeli fire at distribution site

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Dunham, outlined steps he said Israel was taking to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza and disputed media and U.N. reports that Israeli forces fired on a distribution site.

Dunham said, "We are facilitating humanitarian aid in to Gaza through 2 mechanisms. The existing track crossings in a new system created in coordination with The US and international partners. Since May 19, almost 9,000 tons of aid have entered Gaza, carrying food, medical supplies, and shelter equipment." He added that "in the past 2 weeks, 4 new air distribution centers were established inside Gaza. 2 of them are already open. Those centers distribute food packages to thousands of families despite Hamas establishing roadblocks and checkpoints to prevent civilians from reaching the aid. As we speak, there are more than 400 vax already on the Gaza side of the fence waiting to be distributed." (The transcript uses the term "vax"; the briefing did not define that term.)

On reports about violence at one distribution location, an Associated Press reporter asked about the incident that the U.N. and Gaza health authorities said wounded dozens of people. Dunham said, "So first, let me make it clear. We don't run those centers. We provide security for the surrounding area. As for yesterday, it was the first day, you know, there were a few riots. It it took the the American team some time to take control of the situation, but I can say it out loud. We didn't shoot anyone over there. They were like reports about, helicopters shooting people and those kind of things. It didn't happen." When asked specifically whether there were even warning shots he replied, "No. Not by us. Not by us."

Why it matters: The distribution of humanitarian aid and the safety of civilians at distribution sites are central to international diplomacy and humanitarian response planning. Dunham's numbers on aid tonnage and the establishment of air distribution centers provide details Israel presented about its role in enabling aid flows. His denial of Israeli fire at the site contrasts with U.N. and Gaza health ministry accounts recorded in media reports; the ambassador said the American security team took time to control the situation and that Israel did not fire on the crowd.

Less critical detail: The ambassador said Hamas established roadblocks and checkpoints that prevented civilians from reaching aid. He also urged the U.N. to "put your ego aside, pick up the aid, and do your job," saying the U.N. should cooperate with the new U.S.-led mechanisms. The transcript records the U.N. and Gaza health ministry casualty figures as reported by journalists; Dunham disputed that Israeli forces fired on the crowd.

Ending: The press briefing included follow-up questions about war‑time conduct and briefers who might speak at future U.N. sessions; Dunham said he hoped future meetings would be more "balanced."