Gaza aid distribution mechanism "degrading": UN official

GAZA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees on Thursday condemned the current mechanisms for delivering humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip as "degrading" and "humiliating," warning that the deteriorating conditions are worsening hunger and putting civilian lives at risk.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), said in a post on X that the new distribution methods "put lives in danger" and fail to address deepening food insecurity. He likened the situation to a dystopian "Hunger Games."

"The UN, including UNRWA, has the knowledge, expertise and community trust to provide dignified and safe assistance," Lazzarini said, calling for protection and unimpeded access for humanitarian workers.

His comments follow a series of deadly incidents near aid distribution points run by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) across Gaza. Gaza's health authorities said on Thursday that at least 21 people were killed and more than 290 injured while attempting to access humanitarian aid. The Israeli military has not commented on the reported deaths.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its air force carried out strikes on dozens of targets in the enclave over the past 24 hours, including militant positions, observation and sniper posts, weapons storage facilities, and other infrastructure deemed a threat to Israeli troops.

The GHF, which operates independently of the United Nations and major international aid agencies, has faced mounting criticism in Gaza, where residents and local authorities say it undermines Palestinian dignity and marginalizes longstanding humanitarian organizations. ■