UN, Israel Clash Over Deadly Gaza Aid System

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with other UN officials, has condemned the US- and Israeli-backed aid system in Gaza, calling it 'inherently unsafe' after over 500 deaths near aid centers have been reported since late May. The distribution system, run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has been accused of forcing civilians into militarized zones and bypassing UN-led efforts, prompting major aid organizations to refuse cooperation. Israeli officials and GHF deny responsibility for the deaths, instead accusing the UN of supporting Hamas and undermining relief operations. Eyewitnesses and local officials continue to report repeated fatalities at aid distribution sites, while Israel's military denies targeting civilians. Guterres has urged a return to UN-managed humanitarian deliveries, warning the current approach makes searching for food a 'death sentence' for Palestinians. The situation underscores the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with aid severely restricted and famine risks escalating.