UN Calls ⁤for ‍Independent Probe into Gaza Aid Center Deaths

​ ‌ Updated ⁤June 03, 2025
​

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres ⁢is calling for an ‍independent inquiry into the deaths of
⁣ ​ Palestinians near an aid‌ distribution center ⁤in Gaza. ​The incident‌ occurred near a center in Rafah, ⁢sparking
⁣ ⁢ disputed‌ accounts of whether israeli forces opened fire.

Witnesses reported gunfire as​ they awaited food at ‍the facility, which is run ⁢by the Gaza Humanitarian
​ ‍ ⁣ Foundation (GHF),⁤ an organization ‌backed by⁤ the U.S. and‌ Israel. The Red Cross ⁤reported its ⁢hospital received
​ ⁤ ‌ 179​ casualties, including 21 fatalities.Hamas officials​ placed the death toll at 31.

The Israeli military denied​ targeting civilians at or near⁣ the site, dismissing such reports as false.
​ Similarly,the GHF refuted the claims,stating ⁣they had seen no evidence of an attack on or near their
facility. Access restrictions prevent international news organizations from independently verifying events in
Gaza.

Guterres expressed his shock,​ stating, “I am appalled by the ⁤reports of Palestinians killed and injured while
seeking aid in Gaza yesterday.” ⁢He emphasized ‍the need ⁢for accountability and an immediate,⁤ impartial
‌ ⁢​ investigation.

Israel’s foreign ministry responded ‌sharply, calling Guterres’ comments a “disgrace” and criticizing his
‌ ‌ ‌omission of Hamas in his statement. Volker Turk,UN human rights chief,described the current aid delivery
‌ ‌ method as “unacceptable” ‍and “dehumanizing,” ⁤highlighting the desperation of civilians deprived‌ of essential
⁤ ​ ⁢ resources for months.

“I think what it shows is utter ⁢disregard for ‍civilians…‌ It does show a ‍huge dehumanisation of the people
‍ ⁤who are desperately in need.”
‍ ‌ —Volker Turk,UN⁣ human rights chief

The ⁢Civil Defense agency reported that 31 people​ died and 176 sustained injuries “after Israeli gunfire
⁣ ⁣ ‍ ​targeted thousands of civilians near ‍the American aid center in Rafah” early Sunday. ⁤The ⁣International
Committee of the⁣ Red Cross (ICRC)⁣ confirmed that ​its field⁢ hospital in Rafah received a “mass casualty influx”
⁤ of 179 individuals, including women and children, ​with the majority suffering from gunshot or shrapnel wounds.
‌ ​ ⁤Twenty-one ‍were ‍dead on arrival, and “all patients ⁢said⁤ they‍ had been trying to reach an aid distribution
​ site.”

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported treating patients with severe injuries at Nasser‍ hospital in ​Khan
‍⁣ Younis. These ​patients claimed to have been “shot at from all sides by⁤ Israeli drones,helicopters,boats,
‍ ​ tanks and soldiers.”

The Israel Defence⁣ Forces (IDF) stated that an ⁢initial inquiry indicated its ⁣troops “did not‌ fire at civilians
⁣ while they were ⁤near or within the humanitarian‌ aid distribution ⁣site and that​ reports to this effect are
⁢ ⁤ false.” They accused Hamas ‌of spreading rumors and obstructing Gazans from reaching aid ‌centers.​ The IDF also
​ ⁢ released drone footage purportedly showing armed men firing at civilians ​en route to collect aid.

An ⁤Israeli military official stated⁢ that warning shots were fired to “prevent a number of suspects⁣ from
‍ ⁢ ‍ approaching the forces” approximately 1 kilometer from ⁣the GHF site. The GHF ‌called the reports “outright
⁣ fabrications,” asserting that no injuries,fatalities,or ‍incidents occurred during their operations.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel mike Huckabee accused news outlets of “reckless and irresponsible reporting,”
‌ claiming drone video ⁣and⁣ first-hand accounts showed no injuries, fatalities, shooting, or chaos. He ‌attributed
the stories to Hamas‍ sources.

Health officials reported that three more Palestinians were killed by Israeli⁣ fire near ⁤the same GHF center in
​ ⁣ ⁣ Rafah’s‌ Tal al-sultan area. The ⁤Red Cross confirmed receiving 50 wounded individuals, mostly with gunshot ⁢and
⁢ shrapnel wounds, including two dead on arrival. The Israeli military stated that “warning ‌shots were fired
⁢ toward several suspects who ​advanced toward” troops approximately‌ 1 kilometer from the‌ site and that‍ they were
⁢ ‌ investigating the incident.

The civil ​Defence also reported that 14 people, including ‌six children and three women, were killed in an
Israeli strike on a house in Jabalia. The ⁢IDF stated that​ its ​aircraft had struck dozens⁣ of targets⁤ across​ Gaza,
‌ ‍ including “military structures⁣ belonging‌ to terror organisations,” underground tunnels,⁤ and⁤ weapons stores.

Israel​ imposed a total blockade on Gaza on‌ March 2 and ⁢resumed its military‌ offensive, collapsing a ‌two-month
‍ ceasefire with Hamas. These actions were intended‍ to pressure‌ Hamas ‍to⁢ release​ the remaining hostages. Since
‌ Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, at least 54,470 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health
⁣ ⁤ ministry.

What’s next

The call‍ for an independent ⁣investigation into the Gaza aid center deaths is expected to ‌intensify international
‌ ‌ scrutiny of the conflict and ‌aid delivery mechanisms. Further reports and investigations are anticipated to
‍ ‍ ⁤ clarify the events surrounding the‍ incident and possibly impact diplomatic efforts.