### UN Chief Criticizes US-Backed Gaza Aid Operation Amid Rising Fatalities The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has condemned the US-backed aid initiative as "inherently unsafe" and responsible for civilian deaths. Guterres emphasized that the current aid operations are endangering lives, particularly as they funnel desperate civilians into militarized zones, exacerbating the already dire situation in the region. His statements come amid escalating tensions and humanitarian needs in Gaza, where the search for food and basic necessities has become perilous for many families [https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/it-is-killing-people-un-chief-criticises-us-backed-gaza-aid-plan-israel-hits-back-23580641]. ### Breakdown of the Situation and Responses 1. **Criticism of the Aid Operation**: Guterres has labeled the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) as "killing people," highlighting the inherent dangers of the aid operation [https://stratnewsglobal.com/united-nations/un-chief-antonio-guterres-criticizes-us-backed-gaza-aid-mission-it-is-killing-people]. 2. **Strangled Humanitarian Efforts**: He pointed out that UN-led humanitarian efforts are being "strangled," indicating that the operational environment is severely limiting the effectiveness of aid delivery [https://www.tbsnews.net/world/un-chief-says-us-backed-gaza-aid-operation-unsafe-killing-people-1175506]. 3. **Israel's Response**: In reaction to Guterres' comments, the Israeli foreign ministry accused the UN of undermining the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, suggesting that the organization is doing everything possible to oppose the aid efforts [https://www.irishtimes.com/world/2025/06/27/it-is-killing-people-un-chief-slams-us-backed-gaza-aid-operation]. 4. **Call for Safe Humanitarian Access**: Guterres stressed that the search for food should not be a death sentence, urging that humanitarian access must be facilitated by Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure the safety of aid workers and civilians alike [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3484580-un-chief-criticizes-gaza-aid-operation-as-deadly]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Fatalities and Risks**: Guterres' statements underscore the alarming reality that civilians are being killed while attempting to secure food and basic necessities, which he described as a fundamental human right [https://www.econotimes.com/UN-Chief-Condemns-Gaza-Aid-Effort-Backed-by-US-as-Killing-People-1714589]. - **Humanitarian Needs**: The UN has reported that aid workers themselves are facing starvation, further complicating the delivery of essential services in Gaza [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3484564-guterres-condemns-risky-gaza-aid-operations]. ### Conclusion: A Call for Action and Safety In summary, **the UN Secretary-General's condemnation of the US-backed Gaza aid operation highlights a critical humanitarian crisis** that is endangering lives and exacerbating suffering in the region. The following points summarize the key findings: 1. Guterres has labeled the aid operation as "inherently unsafe" and lethal for civilians. 2. He has called for immediate action to ensure safe humanitarian access and delivery. 3. The Israeli government has pushed back against the UN's criticisms, complicating the situation further. 4. Urgent measures are needed to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza, as the current conditions are untenable. The international community must respond to these urgent calls for action to prevent further loss of life and ensure that humanitarian efforts can proceed safely and effectively [https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-06-27/un-chief-says-us-backed-gaza-aid-operation-is-unsafe-killing-people].