Israeli fire killed at least 27 Palestinians near an aid distribution center in Rafah on Tuesday, June 3, according to Gaza health officials. It marked the third consecutive day of deadly incidents around humanitarian sites in southern Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops opened fire on people who had moved off designated access routes and approached Israeli positions. The IDF said it fired warning shots, followed by additional rounds, when the individuals failed to retreat.
What does the UN say about the incident?
The UN Human Rights Office in Geneva condemned the attacks and called for an independent investigation into the matter. UN High Commissioner Volker Türk called the attacks “unconscionable” and said they must be investigated. He warned that Israel’s use of a militarized humanitarian aid mechanism “endangers lives and violates international standards,” and that blocking access to food may constitute a war crime.
“Palestinians have been presented the grimmest of choices: die from starvation or risk being killed while trying to access the meagre food that is being made available through Israel’s militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism,” Türk said in a press release. “There is no justification for failing to comply with these obligations.”
Who oversees Gaza’s current aid operation?
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said recent attacks near food aid sites may constitute war crimes and violate international humanitarian law.
The U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) manages current aid deliveries, bypassing UN agencies. The GHF has faced international criticism for requiring civilians to enter Israeli-controlled zones staffed by armed contractors.
Witnesses reported that there was no oversight at distribution points, and aid was distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. One survivor described the scene as “complete chaos and humiliation.”
Could this constitute a war crime or genocide risk?
Türk said recent attacks on Palestinians seeking food aid, combined with forced displacements and rhetoric about depopulating Gaza, “constitute elements of the most serious crimes under international law.” He cited a 2024 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which found it plausible that Israel had committed acts violating the Genocide Convention.
In that provisional order, the ICJ required Israel to prevent genocide, ensure access to humanitarian aid, and preserve evidence — but did not make a final determination or call for a ceasefire. The ruling, while legally binding, is not directly enforceable.
Israel has strongly denied the accusation of genocide. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the charge a “vile attempt” to strip Israel of its right to self-defense. In ICJ proceedings, Israeli legal representatives said the military campaign targets Hamas fighters embedded in civilian areas, not the Palestinian population.
What do US officials say about war crimes or genocide?
Former U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said this week that Israeli forces have “without a doubt” committed war crimes in Gaza, but added that he does not believe the military campaign amounts to genocide. In a podcast interview with Sky News, Miller said it’s an “open question” whether Israel pursued a broader policy of war crimes or if individual incidents are to blame.
“In almost every major conflict, including conflicts prosecuted by democracies, you will see individual members of the military commit war crimes, and the way you judge a democracy is whether they hold those people accountable,” Miller said.
Miller’s comments reflect tensions within the Biden administration last year, when the U.S. briefly paused weapons shipments to Israel. Miller defended that decision, saying it was based on concerns over the use of heavy munitions in densely populated areas. He also said U.S. deliberations may have delayed ceasefire progress by giving Hamas hope that outside pressure would force Israel to stand down.
How many have died in recent aid incidents?
Gaza officials said Israeli forces have killed at least 102 people and injured nearly 500 in aid-related incidents over the past eight days. Israel denied targeting civilians and claims Hamas is spreading misinformation.
Since the war began in October 2023, over 54,000 Palestinians have died, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The conflict escalated after Hamas-led attacks killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, triggering Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
contributed to this report.
