Thursday Briefing

Published: Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 5:10 am

UN Condemns Israel's Aid Control in Gaza, Citing Assault on Dignity

The United Nations has strongly condemned Israel's new system for controlling the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, with a senior UN official calling it an "assault on their human dignity." This criticism comes after Israel kept aid out of Gaza for over two months, claiming the new system is designed to bypass Hamas.

The situation on the ground is dire. The UN World Food Program reported that two people may have died when crowds broke into a food warehouse in central Gaza. This follows a similar incident on Tuesday, the first day of Israel's new aid program, where dozens were injured during a rush on a distribution site.

The international community is increasingly critical of Israel's actions. European diplomats have voiced strong disapproval of both the aid program and Israel's threats of a further ground invasion. Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, emphasized that the "disproportionate use of force and the deaths of civilians cannot be tolerated," and stressed that aid must remain apolitical.

This latest UN condemnation, according to our Jerusalem bureau chief, Patrick Kingsley, is unsurprising. For weeks, the UN has warned that the new system, which replaces one previously managed by UN agencies, could endanger Palestinians. The UN's concerns highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the challenges of delivering aid in a conflict zone. The situation underscores the urgent need for a sustainable solution to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians in Gaza.

BNN's Perspective: The situation in Gaza is undeniably complex. While Israel has a right to defend itself and ensure aid doesn't reach Hamas, the UN's concerns about the new aid delivery system are valid. The focus must remain on protecting civilians and ensuring that essential aid reaches those who desperately need it. Finding a balance between security concerns and humanitarian needs is crucial for a lasting resolution.

Keywords: Gaza, Israel, humanitarian aid, UN, Palestinians, conflict, aid delivery, Hamas, humanitarian crisis, civilians, Europe, Kaja Kallas, World Food Program, aid program, ground invasion, human dignity, aid distribution, security concerns

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