The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced on the 11th that in the past six weeks, nearly 800 people in Gaza have been killed while trying to receive aid supplies, with the vast majority dying near distribution points of the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,' which is supported by the United States and Israel.
OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, that as of July 7, the office had recorded 798 people killed, of whom 615 died near the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' distribution points, and another 183 are suspected to have been killed along aid convoy routes.
She stated that the majority of deaths were caused by gunfire.
She emphasized that the people of Gaza are facing the cruel choice of 'either being shot or starving.' This situation is unacceptable, she noted, yet it continues to occur.
Since May 27, the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' has bypassed United Nations agencies and unilaterally 'taken over' the distribution of aid supplies in Gaza.
According to eyewitness accounts and various sources, incidents have frequently occurred near the distribution points set up by this private organization, where Israeli soldiers have shot and killed people collecting relief supplies.
On June 27, Israel's 'Haaretz' quoted several anonymous Israeli soldiers as reporting that, following orders, Israeli soldiers had 'intentionally' opened fire on crowds waiting to collect aid, even though these civilians clearly posed no threat to the Israeli military. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces have denied these allegations.
According to media reports, the 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' has set up its distribution points in areas where Israeli military operations are taking place. The United Nations has repeatedly criticized this aid model as being unsafe by design and violating the humanitarian principle of neutrality.