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UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan today called on the Israeli military to stop shooting at hungry people trying to get food at aid distribution points operated by the “Gaza Humanitarian Fund” in Gaza.
“Since the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” started operating on 27 May, the Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities. Reportedly, over 410 Palestinians have been killed as a result,” said Al-Thameen.
Addressing the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Office spokesperson said over 410 Palestinians have reportedly been killed as a result of the Israeli military shelling and shooting at Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points. He said at least 93 others have been reportedly killed by the Israeli army while attempting to approach the very few aid convoys of the UN and other humanitarian organisations.
“Each of these killings must be promptly and impartially investigated, and those responsible must be held to account. The killing and wounding of civilians resulting from the unlawful use of firearms constitute a grave breach of international law, and a war crime,” he said.
“The Israeli military must stop shooting at people trying to get food. Israel must also allow the entry of food and other humanitarian assistance needed to sustain the lives of Palestinians in Gaza in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. It must immediately lift its unlawful restrictions on the work of UN and other humanitarian actors,” he added.
“Third States have the obligation to take concrete steps to ensure that Israel, the occupying power in Gaza, complies with its duty to ensure that sufficient food and lifesaving necessities are provided to the population,” said Al-Kheetan.
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Liz Throssell: +41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org
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UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on Palestinians killed seeking food in Gaza
TRT: SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 24 June 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- Exterior shot: Palais des Nations
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Since the “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” started operating on 27 May, the Israeli military has shelled and shot Palestinians trying to reach the distribution points, leading to many fatalities. Reportedly, over 410 Palestinians have been killed as a result.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Each of these killings must be promptly and impartially investigated, and those responsible must be held to account. The killing and wounding of civilians resulting from the unlawful use of firearms constitute a grave breach of international law, and a war crime.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “The Israeli military must stop shooting at people trying to get food. Israel must also allow the entry of food and other humanitarian assistance needed to sustain the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. It must immediately lift its unlawful restrictions on the work of UN and other humanitarian actors.”
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Thameen Al-Kheetan, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “Third States have the obligation to take concrete steps to ensure that Israel, the occupying power in Gaza, complies with its duty to ensure that sufficient food and lifesaving necessities are provided to the population.”
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