Lazzarini: Israeli-backed aid system in Gaza is 'disgusting'

The United Nations on Tuesday condemned what it described as Israel's "weaponization of food" in Gaza, describing it as a war crime, and urged its military to "stop shooting at people trying to get food."

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) also described the new US- and Israeli-backed food distribution system in the Gaza Strip as an "abhorrent act."

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began distributing food in Gaza on May 26, after Israel completely cut off supplies to the occupied Palestinian territory for more than two months, sparking warnings of widespread famine.

The United Nations and major aid organizations have refused to cooperate with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—a private, official organization with opaque funding—over concerns that it is designed to serve Israeli military objectives.

To date, the US State Department has refused to disclose what it knows about who funds the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) or the nature of its relationship with the United States and Israel.

According to the spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Thamin Al-Khitan, "Israel's militarized humanitarian aid mechanism is inconsistent with international standards for aid distribution."

He added, "Israel's use of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza as a weapon, in addition to restricting or denying their access to essential services, constitutes a war crime," stressing that only the court can issue a legal ruling on whether war crimes have been committed.

Khaitan referred to "scenes of chaos around the World Food Foundation's food distribution points." He told reporters (in Geneva): "Desperate and hungry Gazans continue to face the inhumane choice between starving to death or being killed while trying to access food," noting that "since the World Food Foundation began its work, the Israeli army has bombed and shot at Palestinians trying to reach distribution points, resulting in numerous deaths."

Khaitan pointed to reports that "more than 410 Palestinians were killed as a result, (while) at least 93 others were killed by the Israeli army while trying to approach the very few aid convoys of the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations."

"These figures come from the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip and from other sources, including NGOs," he said, stressing that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is in the process of verifying the figures. In both cases, other people may have been killed by gunfire from other sources, something his office cannot confirm. He added, "At least 3,000 Palestinians were injured in these incidents. Every killing must be promptly and impartially investigated, and those responsible held accountable."

Khaitan also warned that this regime "endangers civilians and contributes to the catastrophic humanitarian situation."

It is noteworthy that the United Nations warned last May that "100% of the population" of the besieged Gaza Strip "is at risk of famine."

Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), criticized GHF, describing it as a "hateful act that humiliates and degrades desperate people."

"It is a deadly trap that costs more lives than it saves," he said at a press conference in Berlin.

Israel accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants and earlier this year banned the agency from operating in Israeli territory or contacting officials.

Lazzarini called on UNRWA to restore access to the Palestinian territories and resume its relief efforts.

"The humanitarian community, including UNRWA, has the expertise and must be allowed to do its work and provide assistance with respect and dignity," he said, stressing that "there is no other alternative to address the challenges of widespread hunger in the Gaza Strip."