Over 600 Palestinians killed at Gaza aid sites spark global outrage and calls for accountability.

The United Nations has confirmed that at least 613 Palestinians were killed at or near humanitarian aid sites and convoys in Gaza as of June 27, 2025. The majority of these deaths occurred around distribution points run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has faced mounting criticism for its operational model and security failures.

This grim toll reflects the acute dangers facing civilians desperate for food and supplies. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and humanitarian groups have documented repeated incidents involving sniper fire, drone strikes, and shootings targeting aid seekers. The violence has made basic survival perilous for Gaza’s population.

The Gaza Health Ministry reports even higher casualty figures, with over 650 killed and more than 4,000 wounded. Medical staff and civil defense sources describe scenes of chaos and trauma at aid sites, where families in search of flour and essentials have come under direct attack.

How humanitarian organizations are responding to the crisis

More than 130 humanitarian organizations, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and Amnesty International, have demanded the immediate closure of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s distribution centers. These groups accuse the GHF of facilitating attacks on civilians and failing to ensure safe, impartial aid delivery.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has called for urgent investigations into the killings and has criticized the GHF’s limited reach, noting that only four “mega-sites” have been established, none in the hardest-hit northern areas. UNRWA previously operated hundreds of distribution locations, providing broader and safer access to aid.

International NGOs are also pressing for the restoration of neutral, community-based distribution models. They argue that current practices have created “death traps” for civilians, undermining trust in humanitarian efforts and worsening the crisis.

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Submarine cables, vital for global internet and communications, have also been targeted or disrupted during conflicts in the region, highlighting the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in war zones.

Global condemnation and diplomatic fallout intensify

The mounting civilian death toll at aid sites has triggered widespread condemnation from governments, rights groups, and international bodies. Calls for accountability have grown louder, with demands for independent investigations into the conduct of both Israeli forces and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Diplomatic tensions have escalated as the UN and allied nations urge Israel to protect humanitarian corridors and ensure the safety of aid convoys. The United States, a key backer of the GHF, faces renewed scrutiny over its support for the current aid distribution model and its role in the ongoing conflict.

The crisis has also strained relations between aid agencies and military authorities, with repeated appeals for respect of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.

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Gaza’s health system buckles under relentless strain

The violence at aid sites has overwhelmed Gaza’s already fragile health system. Only 16 out of 36 hospitals remain partially operational, with fewer than 2,000 beds available for thousands of wounded. Medical staff at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis report treating a daily influx of trauma patients, many injured while seeking food at GHF-run sites.

The World Health Organization warns of a systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health infrastructure, citing shortages of supplies, equipment, and personnel. The targeting of health facilities and workers has further eroded the enclave’s ability to respond to mass casualties, compounding the humanitarian catastrophe.

Calls for urgent action and accountability grow louder

As the death toll rises, global voices are demanding immediate action to protect civilians and restore safe access to humanitarian aid. The UN and leading NGOs insist on independent investigations, the closure of unsafe distribution centers, and the reinstatement of impartial aid mechanisms.

Humanitarian leaders warn that without accountability and structural reform, Gaza’s population will remain at grave risk. The international community is under increasing pressure to intervene, uphold humanitarian principles, and ensure that those responsible for attacks on aid seekers are brought to justice.