STORY: :: U.N. chief says U.S.-backed Gaza aid operation is 'inherently unsafe' and 'is killing people'

:: June 27, 2025

:: United Nations

:: Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

"Following the terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, which I have unequivocally condemned, Israeli military operations have created a humanitarian crisis of horrific proportions, more dire today than at any point in this long and brutal crisis. // Any operation that channels desperate civilians into militarized zones is inherently unsafe. It's killing people. It's time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and full, safe and sustained humanitarian access. The problem of the distribution of humanitarian aid must be solved. There is no need to reinvent the wheel with dangerous schemes. We have the solution - a detailed plan grounded in the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. We have the supplies. We have the experience."

:: @IsraelMFA via X

:: In response to Guterres, Israel's foreign ministry said Israel's military 'never targets civilians'

:: and accused the U.N. of 'doing everything it can' to oppose the GHF aid operation

Israel and the United States want the U.N. to work through the controversial new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, but the U.N. has refused, questioning its neutrality and accusing the distribution model of militarizing aid and forcing displacement.

Since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on Gaza on May 19, allowing limited U.N. deliveries to resume, the United Nations says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid from both the U.N. and GHF operations. A senior U.N. official said on Sunday that the majority of those people were trying to reach GHF sites.

A GHF spokesperson said there have been no deaths at or near any of the GHF aid distribution sites.

Israel and the United States have accused Hamas of stealing aid from the U.N.-led operations, which the militants deny.