UN chief 'appalled' by Palestinians killed while seeking aid

ISTANBUL

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed outrage on Monday over reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza.

"I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," Guterres said in a statement.

The UN chief called for an "immediate" and "independent" investigation into the events and demanded perpetrators be held accountable.

Nearly 50 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 wounded Sunday when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians seeking aid in al-Mawasi, west of Rafah, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Gaza's government media office said at least 52 Palestinians killed and 340 injured since Israel's aid mechanism began May 27 through the Israeli-American backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which bypasses UN agencies.

Guterres emphasized Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate aid and called for unimpeded assistance at scale "to meet the enormous needs."

"I continue to call for an immediate permanent, sustainable ceasefire. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally," he said, adding there is no military solution to the conflict.

"The UN must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect or humanitarian principles," he said.

The Israeli army, rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, has pursued a devastating offensive in Gaza since October 2023, killing over 54,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Aid agencies have warned about the risk of famine among the enclave's population.