Since the end of May, over 1,000 people have died near aid distribution centers in the Gaza Strip, according to a report released Tuesday by the United Nations. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that the Palestinians were "killed by the Israeli army." The majority of the civilians reportedly died near distribution points operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
On Tuesday, a World Health Organization (WHO) warehouse and a staff accommodation site were also struck, prompting widespread international concern and condemnation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the killing of civilians seeking aid "cannot be justified." She reaffirmed that she had once again spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to "remind him of our agreement regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid (...)." From Austria, several political voices spoke out, including Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ).
He posted on X: "It is the international community’s responsibility to speak clearly about the catastrophic situation in Gaza. The Palestinian civilian population must no longer pay the price for Hamas’s actions, and they must finally receive sufficient humanitarian aid." The Bishop of Innsbruck, Hermann Glettler, shared a similar message, stating that he was “deeply shocked.”
He emphasized that leaders on both sides of the conflict in Gaza must answer to the highest international court for the war crimes committed. He called for an immediate end to the killing, starvation, and systematic destruction of Palestinian civilian livelihoods. On Sunday, the Israeli military announced plans to expand operations in the Gaza Strip. Arabic-language leaflets and messages were distributed urging residents to evacuate to safe areas in time.
