The United Nations reported Friday that nearly 800 Palestinians have died while attempting to access humanitarian aid in Gaza since late May, with most fatalities occurring near distribution sites operated by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani revealed the staggering death toll during a Geneva press briefing. According to UN data collected between May 26 and July 7, 615 people were killed near GHF locations, while another 183 died near aid convoys operated by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations.
“This is nearly 800 people who have been killed while trying to access aid,” Shamdasani stated, emphasising that “most of the injuries are gunshot injuries.” The findings highlight the extreme dangers facing Gaza’s civilian population as they seek life-saving assistance amid Israel’s ongoing blockade.
Nearly 800 Palestinians killed trying to access aid in Gaza since May, UN says
➡️ https://t.co/n71C7mDU6M pic.twitter.com/58Zp0omWSY
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 11, 2025The GHF began operations on May 26 after Israel halted most aid shipments into Gaza for over two months, triggering famine warnings. While the foundation claims to have distributed “more than 69 million meals,” its operations have been repeatedly criticised for chaotic scenes and reports of Israeli forces firing on civilians waiting for food.
The foundation denies that any fatal shootings have occurred near its distribution points, contradicting eyewitness accounts and UN documentation. The violence has effectively sidelined the UN’s established aid network in Gaza, which previously provided more structured distribution systems.
At least 789 people killed while receiving aid in Gaza, UN human rights office sayshttps://t.co/MormDiVWVT
— LBC (@LBC) July 11, 2025Human rights organisations continue calling for independent investigations into the aid access deaths and improved protection for civilians seeking humanitarian assistance. The UN findings underscore the deteriorating security situation around aid distribution in Gaza, where over two million people face catastrophic hunger levels.
