The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Wednesday strongly condemned the latest killings of civilians near an aid distribution point in Gaza, calling the incident “horrifying” and urging immediate accountability. The incident, which occurred near the Kuwait roundabout in Gaza City, reportedly left at least 12 people dead and over 20 injured.
According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the casualties occurred as thousands of desperate residents gathered in the area to receive humanitarian assistance. Citing eyewitness reports and information from humanitarian partners, the UN said that the victims were shot while waiting in line for aid. The circumstances around the shooting remain unclear, but the office emphasized the urgency of a full investigation.
“This latest incident is horrifying and demonstrates once again the urgency of ending the fighting and the killing,” Türk said in a statement. He stressed that all parties must uphold international humanitarian law, especially regarding the protection of civilians and aid workers.
This is not the first time the Kuwait roundabout has seen deadly violence. Previous incidents at the same location earlier this year also resulted in civilian deaths during aid distributions. Humanitarian officials have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s extreme scarcity of food, water, and medicine is driving people to take increasing risks just to survive.
The latest killings come amid a broader humanitarian collapse in Gaza, where UN agencies have described conditions as catastrophic. Aid operations have been severely hampered by ongoing hostilities, damaged infrastructure, and restrictions on the entry and distribution of relief supplies.
In his remarks, Türk reiterated that civilians seeking aid should never be targeted. “People in Gaza are already experiencing unimaginable hardship. That they should be subjected to this kind of violence while trying to access food or medicine is unconscionable,” he said.
He also reminded all parties of their obligations under international law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in military operations. Türk warned that violations of these principles may constitute war crimes.
The High Commissioner’s office has documented repeated incidents of violence near humanitarian aid sites in recent months. Despite global appeals for ceasefires and safe aid corridors, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. More than 36,000 people have reportedly been killed since the beginning of the conflict, according to figures cited by the UN, with a significant number of them being women and children.
Türk once again called for an immediate end to the fighting and a return to diplomacy. “Accountability for this and other such acts is crucial. Those responsible must be held to account in fair trials, and victims and their families deserve justice,” he said.
The UN continues to call for an urgent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and the protection of civilians across Gaza. With conditions worsening and civilian casualties rising, humanitarian officials say the international community must act decisively to prevent further tragedy.
