UN Chief Condemns Gaza Aid Effort Backed by US as "Killing People"

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday sharply criticized the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), calling the aid operation “inherently unsafe” and stating bluntly, “It is killing people.” He accused the initiative of forcing civilians into militarized zones, resulting in deadly outcomes.

The U.S. and Israel have urged the UN to cooperate with the GHF, but the UN has refused, citing concerns about neutrality and the militarization of aid. Guterres said UN-led humanitarian work is being "strangled," and emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated under international law to facilitate safe aid delivery into Gaza.

"People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families," he said. "The search for food must never be a death sentence. It is time to find the political courage for a ceasefire in Gaza.”

According to the UN, since Israel lifted an 11-week aid blockade on May 19, over 400 Palestinians have died while seeking aid—many reportedly near GHF distribution zones. A senior UN official said most of the deaths occurred near GHF sites.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied targeting civilians and accused the UN of aligning with Hamas to obstruct GHF operations. GHF, which launched on May 26 and uses private U.S. security and logistics firms, has reportedly delivered over 48 million meals. A GHF spokesperson denied any deaths near their aid sites and criticized the UN’s claims as false.

The U.S. State Department recently approved $30 million in funding for GHF and encouraged international support. Israel and the U.S. allege that Hamas has stolen aid from UN channels, a claim Hamas denies.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to intensify, with aid delivery becoming a deadly pursuit for thousands of civilians.