Egypt Daily News – On Monday, June 2, 2025, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate and independent investigation into the killing of at least 31 Palestinians near a food aid distribution center in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement, Guterres said:
“I am horrified by reports of Palestinians being killed and injured while trying to obtain aid in Gaza. It is unacceptable that people must risk their lives for food. I call for an immediate, independent investigation into these incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable.”
Conflicting Accounts
The Gaza Civil Defense reported that at least 31 people were killed by Israeli gunfire during the distribution of food aid. The Israeli army denied firing at civilians.
In a separate but similar incident, Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza stated that Israeli forces killed at least three Palestinians and injured dozens more near a distribution site operated by the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The Israeli army acknowledged reports of casualties and said it was investigating. It claimed that forces operating overnight in Rafah — now under full Israeli military control — fired warning shots to deter a number of suspects approaching. The incident, it said, occurred about one kilometer away from the aid distribution site.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the U.S. and supported by Israel, said there were no casualties at the distribution location or nearby.
Reuters was unable to independently verify these events.
Rising Civilian Death Toll
On the same day, Gaza’s Civil Defense announced that 19 Palestinians were killed, including 14 in an Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Al-Barsh family in the town of Jabalia, northern Gaza. Among the victims were six children and three women.
More than 20 people remain missing under the rubble, and rescue efforts continue using basic tools.
Healthcare Collapse and Kidney Patients in Crisis
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. According to medical sources in Gaza, 41% of kidney failure patients have died since the war began, due to the inability to access dialysis treatment after major damage to health facilities.
One of the main centers — the Noura Al-Kaabi Dialysis Center in northern Gaza — is now out of service due to severe damage. It had provided essential care to hundreds of patients.
The absence of specialized care in northern Gaza is worsening the health crisis, especially for patients requiring regular treatment. Warnings continue about further deterioration if urgent alternatives are not provided.
Healthcare System Near Total Collapse
Gaza’s healthcare system is facing near-total collapse amid ongoing conflict since October 2023. Most hospitals are out of service due to bombing, fuel shortages, or lack of medical supplies.
According to the World Health Organization, less than 30% of Gaza’s health facilities are partially functioning. There is a severe shortage of medication, especially for chronic illnesses.
Vulnerable groups — such as cancer and kidney patients — are struggling to access care, with border closures and lack of transport preventing treatment outside the Strip.
UN agencies have repeatedly warned of an imminent humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, citing the collapse of healthcare services and rising civilian casualties due to lack of emergency and specialized medical care.
