Israeli forces have killed 1,054 Palestinians since late May as civilians desperately sought food across Gaza, according to the UN human rights office. The majority of deaths (766) occurred near distribution sites operated by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which replaced UN aid mechanisms in May. Another 288 died near UN or humanitarian convoys. UN spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan confirmed the figures draw from "multiple reliable sources," including medics and rights groups.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 15 new starvation deaths in 24 hours, including four children bringing the malnutrition death toll to 101 since Israel’s war began. Among the victims was six-week-old Yousef al-Safadi, who died after his mother could not breastfeed due to her own malnutrition. Doctors report widespread acute malnutrition, with 600,000 Gazans suffering from hunger-related illnesses and hospitals lacking IV fluids and therapeutic foods to treat them. The World Food Program states a third of Gaza’s population now goes "multiple days without eating".
The GHF, a Delaware-registered contractor with no prior aid experience, began operations on May 26 after Israel banned UNRWA. Its four distribution hubs concentrate crowds into lethal choke points. Witnesses describe Israeli forces firing on thousands scrambling for food, while GHF contractors admit shooting "warning shots" during stampedes. Despite distributing 1.4 million food boxes, the model drew condemnation from 28 nations for being "dangerous" and depriving Gazans of dignity.
Over 100 aid organizations demanded Israel end its blockade, calling the starvation a "war crime." UN Secretary-General António Guterres decried the "horror show" of Israel confining 86% of Gaza to militarized zones or displacement orders. Although Israel eased a 10-week total siege in May, only 28 aid trucks enter daily, down from 500 pre-war. Critical shortages forced aid workers to ration their own food, with many fainting from hunger.