UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned a US-supported aid operation in Gaza, calling it “inherently unsafe” and blaming it for civilian deaths.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a scathing critique of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on Friday, saying the new aid distribution model is “killing people.”
Guterres accused the GHF of militarizing aid and forcing displacement, adding that the UN-led relief effort is being “strangled.” He said aid workers are starving, and civilians are dying simply trying to access food.
“People are being killed simply trying to feed themselves and their families. The search for food must never be a death sentence,” Guterres told reporters, urging an immediate ceasefire.
Since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on May 19, over 400 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while seeking aid from both UN and GHF sites. A senior UN official said most deaths occurred near GHF distribution points.
Israel and the US have pressed the UN to cooperate with the GHF, but the UN has refused, citing neutrality concerns.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected Guterres’ criticism, accusing the UN of siding with Hamas and undermining humanitarian efforts.
“The UN is doing everything it can to oppose the GHF and in doing so is aligning itself with Hamas,” the ministry said on X.
A GHF spokesperson denied any deaths at its sites and dismissed the UN’s claims as “false information.”
“Our aid is being securely delivered. Instead of bickering, we invite the UN and others to join us in feeding the people of Gaza,” the spokesperson said.
The GHF, operating with private US security and logistics firms since May 26, says it has distributed more than 48 million meals. The US State Department pledged $30 million to the group this week, calling for other nations to also contribute.
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Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 19th of August, covering the latest developments.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Australia on Thursday condemned Israel’s decision to close its criminal investigation into the deaths of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024.
North Korea has fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced American participation in joint military exercises with South Korea in an effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang.
Georgia’s foreign trade data for January-July 2026 shows Kyrgyzstan, China and Russia as its top three export markets, highlighting its Middle Corridor ambitions and complex economic ties with Moscow.
Kazakhstan will vote on 23 August in its first parliamentary election under the new Constitution, choosing 145 members of the new Kurultai under a fundamentally changed electoral system based entirely on party lists.
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