OHCHR: Killings of Palestinians seeking food in Gaza continue as starvation deepens – Press Release

31 July 2025

Shooting and shelling of Palestinians by the Israeli military have continued along the routes of food convoys and in the vicinity of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, despite the Israeli army’s announcement on 27 July that it would pause military actions in western areas from Gaza City to Al Mawasi during certain hours “to improve humanitarian responses”.

Between 30 and 31 July, 105 Palestinians were reportedly killed. At least 680 were injured along the convoy routes in the Zikim area, in North Gaza, and the Morage area in southern Khan Younis, as well as in the vicinity of the GHF sites in Middle Gaza and Rafah.

In total, since 27 May, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food; 859 in the vicinity of the GHF sites and 514 along the routes of food convoys. Most of these killings were committed by the Israeli military. While we are aware of the presence of other armed elements in the same areas, we do not have information indicating their involvement in these killings.

These victims, the majority of whom appear to be young men and boys, are not just numbers. The UN Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory has no information that these Palestinians were directly participating in hostilities or posed any threat fo Israeli security forces or other individuals. Each person killed or injured had been desperately struggling for survival, not only for themselves, but also for their families and dependents. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of Palestinians are dying from malnutrition and starvation, including children, older people, people with disabilities and the sick or injured.

They offen have little or no support and cannot access the locations where extremely limited aid may be available.This humanitarian catastrophe is human-made. It is a direct result of policies imposed by Israel that have severely reduced the amount of life-saving assistance in the Gaza Strip.

Intentionally directing attacks against civilians not taking direct part in hostilities and intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including wilfully impeding relief supplies, are war crimes. If part of a systematic or widespread attack on the civilian population, these may also constitute crimes against humanity. The cumulative impact of these incidents, humanitarian access restrictions and Israel’s military conduct in Gaza suggest that Israel is inflicting on Palestinians in the strip conditions of life increasingly incompatible with their continued existence as a group.

Each of these killings must be promptly and independently investigated, and those responsible held to account. Urgent measures must be put in place to prevent recurrence.

As the occupying power, Israel must ensure the provision of all lifesaving assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and facilitate conditions that allow humanitarian agencies to move freely and safely to distribute aid.

States must use all available means to stop these violations of international law and fo fulfil their legal and moral obligations to avert further killings of civilians.